National Food Safety Policy 2018 - 2023.

The National Food Safety Policy lays down actions for the protection of public health by reducing the risk of foodborne illness, the protection of consumers from unsanitary, unwholesome, mislabelled or adulterated food, the contribution to the economic development by maintaining consumer confidence in the food system, and better regulation for domestic and international trade in food in Trinidad and Tobago. The timeframe of the policy is 5 years covering the period between 2018 and 2023. The goal of the Food Safety Policy is to ensure protection of public health by providing safe food with a farm to fork approach, through a coordinated and collaborative approach among all responsible ministries, agencies and stakeholders.
The main objectives of this policy are: (i) modernization of comprehensive legislation to promote food safety in Trinidad and Tobago, (ii) establishment of a mechanism for coordinating food safety related activities, (iii) strengthening surveillance systems including early warning system and emergency response, (iv) harmonization and promotion of the adoption of international, regional and national standards, guidelines and codes of practice, and (v) public awareness-raising through the mechanism for the provision of food safety information, education and communication. The existing food safety legislation will be revised and modern legislation will be enacted to give effect to the National Food Safety Policy. Existing penalties will be reviewed, and fixed penalty ticketing systems will be introduced. Fee schedules for inspection services will also be reviewed and updated. The Minister of Health will act as the Minister with responsibility for food safety coordination. An inter-agency National Food Safety Coordinating Committee will be established to assist and advise the Minister on coordination of food safety matters. The National Food Safety Coordinating Committee will carry out functions, including but not limited to, developing National Food Safety Strategic Plans for the efficient functioning of the multiple-agency system and national food safety early warning and emergency response plans. The national food safety standards, guidelines and codes of practice will be developed in accordance with Codex Alimentarius.
A fully functional national foodborne disease surveillance and response system will be enabled by the Ministry of Health. Food monitoring data will be systematically shared along the food chain, among the various national regulatory agencies. An integrated food chain surveillance system will be developed to link food surveillance data and public health surveillance data. A risk-based approach to food inspections will be adopted by Inspectors in regulatory agencies. All official and designated food safety analytical laboratories will be accredited by an approved accreditation body. The Food Safety Emergency Preparedness and Response system, including early warning and rapid alert components, comprehensive traceability and a defined protocol for food recall, will be developed. An electronic one-stop-shop will be established for food safety regulatory requirements, to allow manufacturers to submit standardized information and documents at a single-entry point. The ministries and agencies shall, to the extent possible with available resources, provide public information and education to industry, food handlers and consumers.