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Cleaning & sanitation the 'biggest problems'- Environmental Health Officer

- World Food Safety Day being celebrated globally on June 7
Environmental Health Officer Susan Sealey has identified cleaning and sanitation as one of the major concerns for the department. Photo: Facebook
World Food Safety Day, which is being celebrated globally on June 7 to raise awareness about the dangers of contaminated food. The observance is spearheaded by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). Photo: Internet
World Food Safety Day, which is being celebrated globally on June 7 to raise awareness about the dangers of contaminated food. The observance is spearheaded by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). Photo: Internet
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Environmental Health Officer Susan Sealey has identified cleaning and sanitation as one of the major concerns for the department. Her comments came ahead of World Food Safety Day, which is being celebrated globally on June 7 to raise awareness about the dangers of contaminated food.

The observance is spearheaded by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

During the Health Bytes programme on Thursday, June 4, 2026, Sealey remarked, “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.”

'Virgin Islanders should look out for where they're purchasing food from'

She encouraged Virgin Islanders to be vigilant about their food purchases. “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 a clean environment? Do you see any pests at the establishment, and you make a choice, you make a decision.”

Inspections are done daily 

Sealey explained that the department conducts daily inspections of food establishments, with each environmental officer assigned to specific districts. However, she noted that the department faces challenges, as an officer may be responsible for as many as 100 establishments.

“Inspections are done daily, and if the establishment has infractions, they are given a period of 3 to 7 days, depending on the infraction. If the infraction requires more time, they just communicate with us, and we'll allow them to have more time, depending on what the infraction is. If it is a really critical area that has to be done within a few hours, then it has to be done right then and there,” Sealey added.

She emphasised; however, that not much time is given to rectify pest control issues.

14 Responses to “Cleaning & sanitation the 'biggest problems'- Environmental Health Officer”

  • When businesses (05/06/2026, 12:18) Like (26) Dislike (0) Reply
    Have no town water , what do you think happens to clean surfaces , clean rest rooms and clean hands, you can have all the sinks and towels and well trained competent staff who care, pointless if the waters off you can’t wash dishes and glasses with hand sanitizer.
  • Stinks (05/06/2026, 12:39) Like (15) Dislike (6) Reply
    The entire Enviorn health staff are lazy. They soes nothing
  • (05/06/2026, 13:30) Like (5) Dislike (12) Reply
    Them island people to dirty
    • @… (06/06/2026, 10:34) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      And therein lies the problem. Trying to blame "island people" for every ill in the BVI.
    • @.... (06/06/2026, 14:02) Like (0) Dislike (8) Reply
      Thats not what your man saying every time he eating from them, though. You just jealous because you can neither cook nor clean and your man loves the island people duttiness wine. Stop there make trouble, you ingrate dutyy swine.
  • OLD FOOD (05/06/2026, 13:49) Like (33) Dislike (0) Reply
    Toooo many of the restaurants on island reheating old food and serving people their expired muck.

    That's a huge problem I have noticed as a consumer.

    Cook at home, food poison can kill!
  • CLEAN LIKE SHEEN (05/06/2026, 14:55) Like (3) Dislike (19) Reply
    facts a lot of these dudes ain clean and laying down with school girls. thing spreading like covid
    plenty of these office women look pretty up but dont be fool them laying down with some real bums. self esteem and standards below the barrel. then we when them get used up them want something proper like marriage etc...too late that fowl getting old and digital foot print issa thing good luck


    good thing my family got morals and self respect so no low life getting by us so ezy

  • Cookie Monster (05/06/2026, 14:57) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    where yall is when i smelling sewage in town???


    them just in ac driving about and getting big like big bird from Elmo
  • first of all (06/06/2026, 06:28) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    To many restaurants, food stalls and bars all over the place with a lack of running water to supply the demand.
  • NONESENSE (06/06/2026, 07:15) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    @ cookie monster. They dont do anything. I have work with them. To much of friend froend business
  • ausar (06/06/2026, 07:19) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Make sure you folks are out on the festival fair grounds, checking the food booths dem!

    Lots of stale food there, mehson!
    • @ausar (06/06/2026, 14:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      and oil being reused. Some of those johnny cakes are real greasy mehson. You can tell who does be re-using oil. Fry Chicken, then Fish put it aside until tomorrow, then re-use again if no one gets food poisoned. Y'all better eat at home first before going out to enjoy the Festivities. Too much bad smelling oily food being sold around Town. Them aint going to catch me tarl.


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