Environmental Health Starts Food Safety Campaign
The Environmental Health Division has launched a public awareness campaign to strengthen food safety practices across the Virgin Islands ahead of World Food Safety Day 2026. The campaign will promote safe handling, sanitation, storage and preparation practices for food businesses, vendors and consumers to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
The Environmental Health Division of the Ministry of Health and Social Development has launched a territory-wide public awareness campaign to boost food safety practices across the Virgin Islands. Announced in advance of World Food Safety Day 2026, the initiative urges food establishments, market vendors and households to take practical steps that reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
Acting Chief Environmental Health Officer Henrietta Alexander said the timing aligns with the World Food Safety Day theme for 2026, 'From Burden to Solution – Safe Food Everywhere'. The campaign will emphasise safe food handling, sanitation standards, correct food preparation and storage, and other measures aimed at preventing contamination and illness. ‘Maintaining food safety standards is a shared responsibility that protects families, communities, and the wider public,’ Ms.
Alexander said, describing the campaign as part of the division’s ongoing effort to strengthen food safety systems through education, awareness and compliance with food hygiene standards. For BVI residents, the campaign targets everyday behaviours as much as business practices. Simple actions — washing hands thoroughly before handling food, keeping preparation surfaces clean, cooking foods to appropriate temperatures and separating raw and cooked items to prevent cross-contamination — are highlighted as powerful ways to lower the incidence of foodborne disease.
The Division will roll out practical guidance and reminders in the coming weeks aimed at household cooks, street vendors, restaurants, hotels and other food service operators. Local businesses and vendors are encouraged to review their procedures for storage, temperature control and sanitation, and to contact Environmental Health for guidance on compliance.
Strengthening food safety is also important for the Territory’s tourism industry: safe food practices protect both residents and visitors, preserving public health and the Islands’ reputation as a safe destination. The Ministry of Health and Social Development reiterated its commitment to protecting and promoting the health and social well-being of people in the Virgin Islands through sustainable programmes and strategic partnerships.
Residents are asked to follow campaign messages and adopt simple, practical steps at home, at work and in the wider community to help keep food safe. For more information, the public can contact the Government of the Virgin Islands switchboard at (284) 468-3701 or the Environmental Health Division through the Ministry of Health and Social Development.
Primary source: BVI Government