CARPHA warns against foodborne diseases on World Food Safety Day
Published:Saturday | June 7, 2025 | 12:06 AM
With the observance of World Food Safety Day today, the single regional health agency for the Caribbean is sounding a warning about risks posed by foodborne diseases across the region.
The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) says foodborne diseases (FBDs) continue to pose a significant threat to the health and well-being of Caribbean residents and visitors, impacting approximately one in 49 people annually.
According to CARPHA, studies show that this risk escalates during large events or mass gatherings, where one in 11 people suffer from illnesses caused by contaminated food.
With an estimated 142,000 cases of foodborne illness in the region annually, about 43 per cent affect children under five years old.
Foodborne illnesses may be caused by germs like norovirus and salmonella, which can lead to severe gastrointestinal, systemic, or neurological symptoms.
Beyond the health impact, CARPHA points out that these and other foodborne diseases disrupt tourism, trade, and overall national productivity, sectors that are critical to the Caribbean’s economy.
The regional health body says this highlights an urgent need for effective food safety measures to be implemented across the region.
FOOD SAFETY MEASURES
“The health and economic security of the Caribbean depend on our ability to detect and respond quickly to food safety threats,” said Dr Lisa Indar, executive director of CARPHA.
“Science gives us the tools to protect our communities by improving surveillance, fostering collaboration, and guiding timely actions. Our Integrated Foodborne Disease Programme is a prime example of science in action, helping to keep food safe from farm to table. By applying laboratory diagnostics, digital surveillance platforms, real-time data sharing, and cross-sectoral analysis, we protect the health, safety, and economies of our member states,” Indar explained.
Science is at the heart of food safety. For this reason, the theme of World Food Safety Day, commemorated on June 7, is ‘Science in Action’. It draws attention to the use of scientific knowledge as key to reducing illness, cutting costs and saving lives.
In recent years, the burden of FBDs in the Caribbean has been made worse by several factors, including fragmented health systems, differences in epidemiological data collection, limited laboratory capacity, and limited workforce capacity. The region’s reliance on tourism, trade, and imported foods, combined with the porous borders of small island states, also increases vulnerability to outbreaks.
In addition, many foodborne outbreaks go undetected or are reported late due to underreporting and varying levels of emergency preparedness. This delay reduces opportunities for early intervention and increases the risk to public health.
To tackle these challenges, Indar pointed out, “CARPHA’s integrated foodborne disease programme applies a science-based One Health approach – recognising the close connection between human, animal, and environmental health”.