Mt. Irvine, Tobago. January 27, 2026 -- The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has enhanced Tobago’s food safety preparedness and surveillance readiness among stakeholders in the hospitality sector in an effort to drive healthier safer tourism in preparation for the island’s anticipated Carnival and high season. This successful initiative was executed through CARPHA’s Regional Tourism and Health Program (THP) in close collaboration with the Tobago Tourism Agency Limited (TTAL) and the support of the Division of Health, Wellness and Social Protection (DHWSP), Tobago House of Assembly.
With the likely high influx of tourists into Tobago for the February Trinidad Carnival season, CARPHA conducted a targeted capacity-building mission from January 26-28, 2026, toward reducing the risk of food-related and visitor-based public health threats. The mission was conducted by the CARPHA-led team including Mr. Keston Daniel, Visitor-based Surveillance Coordinator, THP, Dr. Sastee Kissoondan, Senior Technical Officer – Planning & Coordination in the Office of the Executive Director, and Ms. Frieda Mohammed, Standards & Training Officer, THP.
The Agency delivered the internationally renowned, three-day ServSafe® Train-the-Trainer Advanced Food Safety and Certification course to the tourism sector, which included 13 tourism-based entities, such as accommodations and food and beverage businesses in Tobago. Mrs. Sandra Orr-Toney, Chief Executive Officer (Ag.), TTAL, in her opening remarks on Day 1 of the training shared, “Maintaining the highest standard for food safety is essential to ensuring visitor satisfaction, protecting community health and strengthening the island’s international reputation as a safe and desirable destination.
Food safety is fundamental to destination quality and standards, brand reputation and visitor confidence. TTAL is proud to partner with CARPHA in delivering this globally recognised Advanced Food Safety Training Program”. Mr. Daniel remarked, “Improving Food Safety practices is one of the key elements for establishing healthier, safer tourism in Tobago and the Caribbean at large. Food handlers that are more knowledgeable and prepared will translate into improved operations leading to less incidence of food-borne illnesses occurring thus building economic and reputational resilience of the Tourism industry”.
Thirty (30) persons were trained and completed the examination. Successful participants will earn an internationally recognised certificate in Advanced Food Safety which is valid for five (5) years. As such, Tobago will be better equipped with advanced trained and internationally certified experts to reduce the risk of foodborne outbreaks.
CARPHA also sensitised 30 persons from the tourism industry on CARPHA’s real-time, early warning system for land-based tourism, the Tourism and Health Information System (THiS). This allows for enhanced visitor-based surveillance and response to public health threats in tourism settings, improving the safety of tourists and locals. As a result of the informative session fourteen (14) facilities were registered.
CARPHA THP remains committed to strengthen the detection and management of travel-related public health threats, while helping to safeguard the country’s reputation as a healthier, safer destination. This mission was made possible through CARPHA’s Pandemic Fund Project, “Reducing the Public Health Impact of Pandemics in the Caribbean through Prevention, Preparedness, and Response (RG-T4387).”
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