Changes coming for food handlers’ permit process

Food handlers' permits will now be valid for two years, effective January 1, 2026.

This forms part of the Environmental Health Unit's overhaul of the National Food Handlers' Training and Certification Programme. Addressing Wednesday's post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Christopher Tufton, shared that more than 300,000 Jamaicans apply for and renew permits annually.

"People wait quite long, sometimes half the year, for a 12-month permit. It's highly inefficient and it's quite frustrating to entrepreneurs, many of whom are small business operators - the bar owner, the jerk stand man," he said. Tufton noted that inefficiencies in the system also affect larger players in the food production and fast food industry. In addition to extending the permit term, bill payment and bank transfer options will be introduced next year.

"We will implement a bi-modal modular training format to reduce the certification processing time from three weeks to two weeks, and introduce new technology to facilitate faster and more efficient processing to eliminate delays and backlogs," Tufton said. He added that application access points will be introduced to reduce wait times and improve service delivery.