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| "The
Health and Safety of the People is the Highest Law" - Cicero
(The 12 Laws of Rome.)
The
Food Storage and Prevention of Infestation Division (FSPID) is a division of the
Ministry of Industry, Investment & Commerce of
Jamaica which operates under the Food
Storage and Prevention of Infestation Act (1958) and Regulations (1973).
The FSPID began operations in 1958 and this year celebrates its fiftieth anniversary.
Headed
by the Chief Food Storage Officer, the FSPID is mandated to ensure
the safety and wholesomeness of all food and feed entering commerce in Jamaica.
These objectives are achieved through:
Inspection
and disinfestation services conducted by the
Inspectorate and Disinfestation Unit
Laboratory services conducted by the
Entomology Unit
Rodent Biology and Control Unit
Microbiology Unit
Pesticide Residue and Mycotoxin Unit
Postharvest Technology Unit
Information
dissemination provided by the
Training and Information Unit.
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It is with great pride that I welcome you to this website as we, the FSPID, celebrate our fiftieth anniversary. I doubt that fifty years ago, when this division of the then Ministry of Trade was founded, anyone would have predicted that the FSPID would have evolved into what it has become today.
Since our inception in 1958, the staff complement has grown from three officers to fifty-three officers today. The role and functions have also expanded. We have developed and been involved in several programmes aimed at improving the safety and wholesomeness of Jamaica’s food supply. The FSPID has trained employees of prominent food establishments in pest management and food storage techniques. We have also developed comprehensive strategic action plans aimed at reducing risks to food safety and furthering our mission of protecting and promoting public health.
We will commemorate our fiftieth anniversary with a series of year long activities which will place emphasis on protecting and promoting food safety, highlighting the roles and functions of the FSPID today and its future aspirations. These activities will include:
- A nationwide essay and poster competition asking students to create a poster and write essays depicting the importance of food safety practices;
- The issuing of certificates of compliance to food establishments that satisfy the requirements of the Food Storage and Prevention of Infestation Act and Regulations;
- Media exposure, e.g. a newspaper supplement, radio interviews and a television feature;
- A month of activities which will include:
· A church service;
· An open day exhibition;
· Food safety seminars;
· Expanding our food safety programmes to schools across Jamaica;
- Distribution of promotional material such as brochures, newsletters, calendars and a newspaper supplement highlighting food safety;
- Intensifying our involvement in charitable pursuits through our “Adopt a Home” programme, which we have already started at the Jamaica National Children’s Home.
Reflecting on the achievements of the FSPID over the past fifty years, I have no doubt that our team of well-qualified professionals will meet future challenges with innovation, determination and passion and ensure that the FSPID reaches greater heights.
God bless you all.
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