Health departments under SERHA to issue paper food handlers permits

Health departments within the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) will now begin issuing paper food handlers permits to all applicants effective immediately.

All applicants are required to provide the following when applying for a food handlers permit:

· Two recent passport sized photographs (not more than six months old)

· A valid identification; (Driver's Licence, GOJ ID or Passport)

· Taxpayer Registration number (TRN)

Applicants should complete a food handler's permit application form.

The form can be obtained on SERHA's website at https://www.serha.gov.jm/food-handlers-permit and it is also available at any of the three health department offices across the parishes of Kingston and St Andrew, St Catherine, and St Thomas.

The general fee is $500 and students with IDs will pay $300.

The food handler's permit is valid for one year from the date of issue, and must be renewed every year.

Permit renewal follows the same procedure as the initial application.

The renewal fee is $500.

SERHA noted that working in the food trade/industry without a food handlers permit is a serious breach of the Public Health (Food Handling) Regulations 1998.

SERHA is therefore encouraging the public to apply for their food handlers permit.

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