Lorenzo Hume, Chief Public Health Inspector for Portland
Chief Public Health Inspector for Portland, Lorenzo Hume, is warning residents to be cautious when bottling coconut water, noting that poor sanitation practices can lead to serious health risks because the drink is highly prone to contamination.
Addressing the monthly meeting of the Portland Municipal Corporation, Mr. Hume revealed that two cease and desist orders were recently issued to individuals found bottling coconut water without proper sanitary facilities.
He explained that some of these operators move between different locations and events, often working under unsafe conditions.
He reminded the council that coconut water is classified as a high risk of food, stressing that improper bottling can result in foodborne illnesses.
In the meantime, Mr. Hume reported that 21 food handlers clinics were held in July and 13 in August as part of ongoing efforts to promote food safety and hygiene in the parish.
Portland currently maintains an average food handler certification rate of approximately 90 per cent, though challenges persist in raising that figure further.
Mr. Hume also noted that several food handler structures in the parish fall below the acceptable standards due to deteriorating fixtures compounded by limited knowledge and understanding of what is necessary by some persons.
He also highlighted challenges in reaching certain individuals residing in rural areas among other operational difficulties.
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