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Individuals urged to obtain food handler's certificate ahead of Emancipation Festival

The Ministry of Health and Social Development, through the Environmental Health Division, has encouraged individuals who plan on handling food during the 2025 Emancipation Festival to obtain a food handler's certificate. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands
The Environmental Health Division will hold food handler certification sessions in June and July 2025 ahead of this year’s Emancipation Festival. Photo: Internet Source
The Environmental Health Division will hold food handler certification sessions in June and July 2025 ahead of this year’s Emancipation Festival. Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Ministry of Health and Social Development, through the Environmental Health Division, has encouraged individuals who plan on handling food during the 2025 Emancipation Festival to obtain a food handler's certificate.

The certification must be obtained ahead of the festival, and the Environmental Health Division is making preparations to deal with the influx of individuals. 

Weekly courses in June & July

According to a press release from the ministry, the division will offer weekly food handler courses this month, June and in July, and Acting Chief Environmental Health Officer, Ms Henrietta Alexander, said persons should take advantage of this availability. 

“We want to remind the public that all food handlers are required to be certified in order to operate during August festivities,” Ms. Alexander said, adding, “The sessions will be available both in-person and virtually to provide flexibility and convenience for attendees.”

The schedule for the rest of June and July is as follows:

  • June 24th at 5:00 p.m. ESHS
  • July 1st at 9:00 a.m. Virtual
  • July 15th at 5:00 p.m. ESHS
  • July 22nd at 9:00 a.m. Virtual
  • July 29th at 5:00 p.m. ESHS

Mrs Alexander also informed that additional sessions will not be conducted outside of the schedule and encouraged individuals to attend early and avoid last-minute challenges in obtaining certification. 

Environmental Health Division is committed to food safety- Mrs Alexander

Mrs Alexander acknowledged that the festival is a time of celebration, culture and community. The division, she said, is therefore steadfast in its commitment to prioritising food safety and ensuring food vendors have convenient and accessible opportunities to become certified.

“It is imperative that business owners and managers ensure that all individuals involved in food handling obtain the necessary certification to avoid any disruption to their business operations.” 

Meanwhile, booth owners are also reminded to visit the Environmental Health Division to collect temporary vending registration forms as soon as possible. 

Registration links for the sessions are available on the Environmental Health Division BVI’s Facebook page.

For more information, individuals are urged to contact the Environmental Health Division via phone (284) 468-5110 or via email ehd@gov.vg.

9 Responses to “Individuals urged to obtain food handler's certificate ahead of Emancipation Festival”

  • … (21/06/2025, 14:12) Like (0) Dislike (8) Reply
    Need to stop harassing poor ppl
    • @... (22/06/2025, 08:41) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      that is not harassment without the certificate we can get food poisoning and the belly
    • @… (22/06/2025, 09:35) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      How stupid and silly can you be. This has nothing to do with being poor. It has do with food SAFETY. In the US, if someone is selling cooked foods to the public and does not have a food handlers license they are getting shut down on the spot.
  • Rosy.. (21/06/2025, 18:59) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    ..wipe ah yuh sweat!
  • THEY (21/06/2025, 22:10) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Need a food handlers license, disposable gloves, hair nets and not be serving food with those long claws on their fingers. During festival time I don’t buy any type of foods because I don’t know how the food was properly cleaned or what kind of environment the food was cooked in. Hate to say it but a lot of people that cook and bake their kitchens are dirty and nasty.
    • @THEY (22/06/2025, 09:24) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      I highly agree, I as well don’t purchase any cooked foods that is prepared in homes and sold for consumption outside. Most people don’t properly clean their meats or poultry with lemon, limes or vinegar some people don’t wash rice before cooking the rice. What turned me off is someone that sells food on the side of the road home kitchen have flies buzzing and landing on the food.
  • Urged? (22/06/2025, 07:51) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Should they not be required to get food handler’s license, with consequences for not doing so? Urging people to get one is not much different than telling people to wash their hands.
  • Hank Spine. (22/06/2025, 08:22) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Many will not get them fispite the invite to do so. This is real talk
    • @ Hank Spine (23/06/2025, 18:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      The Environmental Health Dept. should make it mandatory that all Booths have a copy of their Trade Licence and Food Handlers Certificate hung in their stall visible for its patrons to view. I don't know if its something that's being done but if not then they should implement. Therefore, if you don't see the Licence and Certificate, ask to verify and if the Owner decides to berate you about asking, just take your business elsewhere. Anyways, i no longer attend the Festival but when i did, food was only purchased from two booths, either Stones or Iris Freeman. Me nar ynam from nobody else. My belly will get confused and turn out its contents. Lol!


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