Honiara, Solomon Islands – A total of thirty-three participants from the private sector and members of the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) have successfully completed a two-day intensive Food Safety Training aimed at enhancing food production standards across the country.

Organized by SICCI under its Export Industry Develop department, the training was facilitated in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services’ Food Safety Program.

The sessions focused on critical aspects of food safety including Personal Hygiene, Temperature Control, Food Storage, Cross-Contamination Prevention, Cleaning and Sanitation, Pest Control Awareness, Food Safety Laws and Regulations, as well as Incident Reporting and Recordkeeping.

Chief Health Inspector and Training Facilitator, Ms. Patricia Soqoilo, emphasized the importance of food safety knowledge, particularly for those engaged in food production businesses.

“Understanding food safety is paramount for producers. Food production companies—whether large or small—must understand the scientific nature of food and its vulnerability to micro-organisms such as bacteria,” Ms. Soqoilo said.

“At the back of your mind, the food you produce will end up in someone’s body. It is your responsibility to ensure it is healthy and safe.”

SICCI Chief Executive Officer, Mr. James Dolarii, praised members for their strong participation and highlighted the broader value of the program.

“This training not only enriches our private sector operators with vital food safety knowledge but also strengthens the relationship between SICCI and the Ministry of Health and Medical Services,” Mr. Dolarii stated. “It is part of our ongoing commitment to support sectors involved in food production and to enhance product quality and public health outcomes for our general public. This will also support exporters who served in the export market to practice high quality standard of food safety.”

Speaking on behalf of the participants, Mr. John Tatalo expressed appreciation to SICCI for facilitating the workshop and underscored the significance of the knowledge gained.

“The training has equipped us with the essential skills and insights into food safety and opened up new avenues for networking and collaboration between members and stakeholders,” Mr. Tatalo said. “This will help us ensure that the food we produce is safe and healthy for our consumers.”

The successful completion of the training marks another step forward in SICCI’s mission to elevate industry standards and promote safer, more sustainable practices across the Solomon Islands’ business community.