The first ever World Food Safety Day was celebrated on Friday, 7 June 2019, a partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization.

With two major initiatives planned for the day, the team of Renata Clarke, FAO Sub-regional Coordinator along with Karen Polson-Edwards Advisor, Climate Change and Environmental Determinants of Health - PAHO/WHO Office for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean started early with a 7:30AM journey to the Starcom Network studios for two live radio shows.  The public awareness and educational outreach on food safety started out with DJ Jon Doe on HOTT 95.3FM, whose early morning drive-time listeners of an estimated 30,000 range from ages 18 – 35. The uninterrupted interview provided important facts on how to prepare and keep food safe, along with salient facts and figures on illnesses experienced from food borne diseases.  When the interview wrapped up, the team was then hosted DJ Kashi on VOB 92.9FM who enjoys a more mature listenership of ages 35 – 60, but 50 000 strong in numbers. 

Renata Clarke (right) live on the Starcom Network

Both interviews were engaging and enlightening not only for the listeners, but for both radio hosts who took the opportunity to ask several questions on food handling and preparation.

Once the radio interviews were completed, Renata Clarke joined a FAO team of Iris Monnereau, Regional project coordinator on the Climate Change Adaptation of the Eastern Caribbean Fisheries Sector Project (CC4FISH) and Yvette DieiOuadi, Sub-regional Fishery and Aquaculture Officer for an official presentation of equipment to the Bridgetown Fisheries Complex.  The presentation was made to The Honorable Kirk Humphrey, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the Blue Economy, who along with Renata Clarke and the FAO officials offered remarks followed by a live demonstration of some of the donated equipment including cutting boards, knives and aprons.

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FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean