Cleaning and Sanitation the 'Biggest Problems,' Environmental
During the WHO/FAO Health Bytes programme on June 4, 2026, Environmental Health Officer Sealey told listeners that cleaning and sanitation remain the biggest daily challenges for food establishments in the Virgin Islands, urging the public to be vigilant about where they buy food. The Environmental Health Department conducts daily inspections but faces capacity constraints, with some officers responsible for up to 100 premises, VINO reported.
During the Health Bytes programme on Thursday, June 4, 2026, an observance spearheaded by the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization, Environmental Health Officer Sealey said cleaning and sanitation are the territory's most persistent food-safety problems. "The biggest problem we encounter, I would say, on a daily basis, is cleaning and sanitation.
Sanitation continues to be an issue in many food establishments," she told listeners, according to VINO. Sealey encouraged Virgin Islanders to be alert when choosing where to buy or eat food. "I would encourage anyone, the public, when they're purchasing food, to really look out for where they're purchasing food from, what their practices are, and whether they’re seeing persons washing their hands.
Do you see any pests at the establishment, and you make a choice, you make a decision," she said (VINO). The Environmental Health Department conducts daily inspections of food premises, with officers assigned to specific districts, Sealey explained. However, she warned that the department's capacity is limited: in some districts a single officer may be responsible for as many as 100 establishments, which restricts how frequently and thoroughly every site can be revisited (VINO).
When inspectors identify infractions, establishments are typically given three to seven days to correct the issues, depending on severity. Sealey said operators who need more time should communicate with the department so additional time can be considered, but immediate or critical problems must be corrected right away.
Pest-control issues, she emphasised, are treated with little leeway and must be addressed promptly (VINO). These sanitation gaps have direct consequences for residents and visitors. Poor cleaning and pest infestations raise the risk of foodborne illness and can damage consumer confidence — a concern for public health and for a tourism-dependent economy like the BVI's.
Sealey's remarks underline that both regulators and business operators must act to reduce those risks. To improve standards, Sealey and public-health observers point to the need for continued training for food-service staff, better resourcing of the inspection service, and stronger industry compliance and enforcement.
Strengthening inspection capacity so officers are not stretched thin, along with routine staff hygiene and pest-control measures at establishments, were highlighted as essential steps to protect public health and preserve the territory's reputation for safe food service. Sealey's comments during the WHO/FAO observance were reported by VINO and serve as a reminder that consumers also play a role: choosing clean premises, watching for basic hygiene practices, and reporting concerns to the Environmental Health Department can help raise standards across the territory.
Primary source: VINO