Ministry of Agriculture launches FDA certified agro-processing certification course | Business

The Ministry of Agriculture launched a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food certification course yesterday in a bid to increase export of Bahamian food products to the United States.

Jomo Campbell, minister of agriculture and marine resources, said in his opening remarks at the Preventative Controls for Human Food three-day workshop at British Colonial Hotel that the Preventative Controls for Qualified Individual (PCQI) certification was “invitation only for serious agro processors”.

“In recent years, we have faced various challenges related to food safety, including food borne illnesses, supply chain disruptions and evolving regulations,” Campbell said.

“As we focus on food safety, it’s essential to acknowledge the unique challenges faced by The Bahamas.”

Pointing to the “logistical challenges,” that come as a result of transporting food, which can lead to longer shipping times, which can equate to spoilage or contamination of perishable goods, Campbell added, “Many small scale and local producers may lack access to the necessary resources such as funds, training and technology to implement effective food safety measures and comply with standards.”

He continued, “Additionally, The Bahamas largely relies on imported food products, something that we are working diligently to change.

“This training is just one of the initiatives that my ministry and I support in our effort to create more economic opportunities for Bahamian agribusinesses and decrease our agricultural trade imbalance.”

“Completion of this course will allow you to meet the requirements for the FDA processed food import certification so that you can export our Bahamian food products to the US and allow Americans to also enjoy the taste of our beautiful bounty that is so loved here at home. Although this certification allows for critical export opportunities, it is also critical to our own food safety.”

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