The South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) is urging members of the public to report unsafe food practices to their local health departments to help protect the health of the population.

Unsafe practices include poor personal hygiene, improper food storage, unsanitary conditions, and unsafe food preparation methods.

Food establishments subject to reporting include restaurants and eateries; street and mobile food vendors; cook shops; bakeries; supermarkets and grocery stores; meat and fish markets; bars serving food; school canteens; and other food service outlets.

SERHA emphasizes that compliance with food safety regulations is mandatory and critical to preventing foodborne illnesses and protecting public health. Food operators are reminded of their responsibility to maintain clean environments, observe proper sanitation standards, and ensure that food is handled, stored, and prepared safely at all times.

Timely reporting assists public health inspectors in taking swift action to reduce health risks and uphold food safety standards across the Region.

The contact numbers for health departments across the parishes served by SERHA are as follows: Kingston & St. Andrew Health Department: (876) 926-1550–2; St. Catherine Health Department: (876) 749-0925; and St. Thomas Health Department: (876) 317-9547.

The Authority reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding public health by reminding both consumers and food operators of the importance of strict adherence to safe food handling practices.