As the Carnival season heats up, Chief Health Inspector Sharon Martin is urging food vendors to prioritize food safety regulations or risk facing penalties.

Martin hopes to avoid having to shut down any food stalls and emphasizes that safety should be the top priority.

Having trained over 2,000 individuals in food handling, Martin is optimistic that the adults who underwent the training will implement the knowledge they acquired and transform bad habits into safe practices.

Martin wants to avoid micromanaging the food vendors but rather see them confidently adhering to the regulations without the need for constant monitoring.

However, Martin warns that there will be consequences for those who fail to comply with food safety guidelines, as foodborne illnesses resulting from consuming contaminated food and beverage can lead to serious health consequences for Carnival participants.

Martin previously outlined five essential keys to safer food: cleanliness; separating raw and cooked foods; thorough cooking; safe food storage temperatures; and using safe water and raw materials.

She hopes to exchange a smile and a simple greeting as she passes by the food stalls, but stresses that food vendors are responsible for their actions and the potential repercussions of failing to comply with food safety regulations.