SERHA’s Health Departments Issue Paper Food Handlers

KINGSTON, Jamaica. Wednesday, March 20, 2024: The health departments within the

South East Region Health Authority (SERHA) will now begin issuing paper Food Handlers

Permits to all applicants applying for a Food Handler Permit effective immediately.

All applicants are required to provide the following when applying for a food handlers

permit:

 Two (2) recent passport sized photographs (not more than 6 months old)

 A valid identification; (Driver’s Licence, GOJ ID or Passport)

 Tax payer Registration number (TRN)

Applicants should complete a Food Handler’s Permit Application Form. The form can be

also available at any of the three (3) Health Department offices across the parishes of

Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Catherine, and St. Thomas.

The general fee is $500.00 and students with IDs will pay $300.00.

The food handler permit is valid for one year from the date of issue, and must be

renewed every year. Permit renewal follows the same procedure as the initial

application. The renewal fee is $500.00. Your food handlers permit is your passport

for working in the food trade/industry. It cannot be given to another person to be used,

or to be renewed. It should be kept safe and available for inspection.

The health departments conduct training sessions throughout the year to facilitate the

process. To work in the food trade/industry without a food handlers permit is a serious

breach of the Public Health (Food Handling) Regulations 1998.

SERHA is therefore encouraging the public to apply for their Food Handlers Permit.

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