In a significant development for food safety regulation, Dominica’s National Beekeepers Cooperative Society Ltd has issued strong endorsements for the newly proposed Food Safety Bill 2026. The organization’s president, Mr. Kevin James, has publicly applauded parliamentary discussions addressing honey adulteration concerns, characterizing the legislative attention as demonstrating “serious commitment to protecting public health and the integrity of our local food industries.”
The Cooperative has taken an unequivocal stance against honey adulteration practices, asserting that such fraudulent activities undermine consumer confidence and disadvantage legitimate beekeepers who maintain quality standards. Mr. James emphasized that honey represents both an economic asset and a natural product with significant nutritional and medicinal value, warranting robust regulatory protection.
The proposed legislation establishes comprehensive frameworks including a national Food Safety Service, mandatory licensing for food businesses, and certification requirements for food handlers. Enhanced inspection protocols and enforcement mechanisms form core components of the bill, alongside systems for product traceability, recall procedures, and emergency response coordination.
Industry representatives believe these measures will not only combat food fraud and misleading labeling but also strengthen market confidence in locally produced honey. The Cooperative has pledged collaborative engagement with government agencies and stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of the new regulatory regime, aiming to eliminate threats to industry integrity while supporting sustainable growth in the beekeeping sector.
This legislative initiative emerges amid growing global concerns about food authenticity and safety standards, positioning Dominica to address these challenges through strengthened regulatory frameworks and industry partnerships.