BLACK RIVER, St. Elizabeth:
LESTER BEHARIE, Chief Public Health Inspector for St. Elizabeth, said the proliferation of streetside cook shops across the parish posed a serious public health risk to the residents who purchase food from these operators.
"While we are trying to work with them (the operators) to bring their standard to an acceptable level, we cannot remove them from where they operate because the Public Health Department doesn't have the power to do that," said Mr. Beharie while speaking in a recent interview with The Gleaner.
"These illegal cook shops exist out there in the communities in large numbers. However, the health department can only encourage the residents to be careful where they go to eat," he said, adding that the problem has been a long-standing one in the parish. He said in some cases it's very difficult to get the persons who are operating these illegal cook shops to comply with the terms of the Public Health Regulations.
Mr. Beharie said while the Parish Council is the enforcing agency against these illegal activities very little has been done by the St. Elizabeth Parish Council to rid the streets of these illegal cook shops.
OPERATING WITHOUT LICENCES
He said that some of these establishments are currently operating without a licence which they would obtain from the Public Health Office. He also indicated that the Health Department will be continuing its drive to sensitise these persons about the importance of the Public Health Regulations.
But, efforts to reach the Mayor of Black River, Franklyn Witter for a comment was unsuccessful as he was said to be off the island.
Most of these streetside cook shops are located in Black River, Treasure Beach, Santa Cruz, Junction, among other areas in the parish.
