The Environmental Health Division is reminding the public that changes have been made to the procedures of food handler clinics in an effort to increase efficiency.

Acting Chief Environmental Health Officer, Mrs. Yolanda Penn said the changes began on January 1, and persons interested in attending food handler clinics are now required to have all the necessary documents in order to participate in these sessions.

Mrs. Penn said that in the past, persons attended the sessions without their medical test results, pictures or other supporting documents with promises of bringing those items to the office at a later time.

Mrs. Penn added, “This practice has contributed to a considerable waste of the department resources which have resulted in the change of procedures.”

Persons renewing their food handler’s certificates are required to bring their expired certificates, social security card, work permit and/or picture identification.

Persons seeking to obtain a food handler’s certificate for the first time are also required to bring the result of their Mantoux (skin) and stool tests, work permit and/or picture identification, social security card and one recent passport size photograph.

New food handlers are also asked to continue to pre-register when applying for food handlers certificates.

For further information, persons can contact the Environmental Health Division at telephone number 468-5110.

The Environmental Health Division is committed to ensuring that all aspects of the environment with the potential to negatively impact health are managed efficiently to enable all persons in the BVI to attain and maintain optimal health and social well-being.