Airport vendors urged to raise their standards

TIMES INT'L

By Svetlana Marshall –

Food service providers operating at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) have been warned against the sale of stale food to staff and travellers at the terminal. Approximately 50 food service providers operating at the airport,on (Thursday) concluded two days of vigorous training sessions, facilitated by the Health Ministry’s Port Health Department and the CJIA.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Shamdeo Persaud and key officials from the Health Ministry, City Council and Region Four RDC, along with food handlers who participated in the seminar on Wednesday
Chief Medical Officer Dr Shamdeo Persaud and key officials from the Health Ministry, City Council and Region Four RDC, along with food handlers who participated in the seminar on Wednesday

The seminar commenced on Wednesday in CJIA’s boardroom in the presence of Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Shamdeo Persaud, the airport Operations Deputy Manager Andre Kellman, Port Health Officer Bonita McDonald and other key officials from the Health Ministry, the Georgetown Mayor and City Council and the Region Four Democratic Council. Most importantly, it received overwhelming support from Banks DIH Duty Free, Oasis Express, DDL Duty Free, Arrow Point Nature Resort, Lotus International Restaurant and Roraima Executive Lounge, among other entities whose food service providers received food handlers’ permits.
Even as the world prepares to observe World Health Day on April 7 under the theme “Hypertension”, the CMO urged food handlers in attendance to reduce the salt content during food preparation.
According to Dr Persaud, studies show that Guyanese consume approximately 10 grams of salt per day although health professionals across the world stipulate that persons consume four to six grams daily. High intakes of salt in the long run contribute significantly to hypertension, the CMO noted.
He also encouraged the food service providers to control the amount of sugar used during food preparations to reduce the risk of diabetes.
All stakeholders, he said must play an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles in Guyana. Currently, the life expectancy at birth for Guyana’s entire population stands at 67.39 years, with women standing a better chance of living longer with a rate of 71.4 years when compared to men’s life expectancy rate of 63.57 years. With improved diets and conducive environments, the CMO contended that the life expectancy rate of the total population can increase significantly.

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