The advent of COVID-19 and the resulting enhanced level of public concern has been primarily responsible for what is believed to be a healthier food safety environment, according to the outcomes of a mini survey undertaken by the Stabroek Business among food vendors operating mostly in Georgetown and a handful of communities outside the capital.
Thirty-two vendors, mostly women, who ply their trade in communities in regions Three and Four told the Stabroek Business that the advent of COVID -19 and an attendant heightened awareness of the importance of observing public health protocols have been responsible for a shift among food vendors to a higher level of compliance with food safety regulations. Many of them have even gone beyond the food safety regulations in response to recommendations from their customers, this newspaper was told.
One vendor who plies her trade in Region Three told Stabroek Business that the “customer pressure” resulting from an enhanced level of popular awareness of the likely link between the advent of the pandemic and the need to raise food safety standards had served to “put pressure” on some vendors to raise their food safety standards.
