KINGSTON, Jamaica. Monday, November 27, 2023: It has come to the attention of the Ministry of Health & Wellness that a group of persons have been purporting to be public health inspectors on two known occasions and the public, particularly business owners are advised to be on the lookout for these persons.
The most recent incident was at the reopening of Crab Circle, where persons purporting to be from the Kingston & St. Andrew Health Department used the opportunity during the opening ceremony to deceive KSAMC officials, freely interacted with the public, vendors, and participated in interviews with the media during and after the event.
It is to be noted that authorized Public Health Inspectors assigned to the Kingston & St. Andrew Health Department visited Carb Circle, conducted their lawful food safety duties, and then gave their seal of approval for the resumption of food handling activities prior to the reopening, but were not present for the ceremony.
This group of imposters was also featured in a video on social media visiting the Island Grill store in Ocho Rios, St. Ann on November 13, 2023, where they carried out an illegal assessment then demanded food for their service.
Business owners in the food trade are warned to be on the alert and report to the police, this group of individuals. Public Health Inspectors employed by the Government are to be clad in dark brown pants/skirts, beige shirt/blouse and should present an identification card issued by the respective Parish Health Department. If business operators are in doubt, they are to call the health department to confirm the identity of the officer before engaging same.
At the same time, persons who carry out this action can be prosecuted under the Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act and be fined up to $250,000 for a first offense and half a million dollars for a second offense. The imposters are warned to desist from this practice and that if caught, they will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.