WILLEMSTAD – Member of Parliament Ishahier Monte of the Movementu Futuro Kòrsou (MFK) faction is demanding information from the government about food safety controls at restaurants and other food establishments following reports from residents who say they became ill after eating at local businesses.
Monte submitted a series of parliamentary questions to Minister Javier Boekhoudt under Article 96 of Parliament’s Rules of Order, seeking clarity on inspections, complaints, enforcement and the government’s capacity to protect consumers.
According to Monte, food safety is one of the government’s fundamental public health responsibilities. Residents and visitors, he said, must be able to trust that food and beverages served at restaurants and other establishments comply with applicable hygiene, quality and safety standards.
The parliamentarian said he has recently received various reports and complaints from residents who experienced physical discomfort or symptoms that could indicate food contamination after eating at restaurants or other establishments.
Monte acknowledged that not every case can automatically be attributed to the food consumed. However, he believes the number of reports provides sufficient reason to examine whether Curaçao’s current inspection and control system adequately protects public health.
How Often Are Restaurants Inspected?
Among the questions submitted to the minister, Monte wants to know which government agencies are legally responsible for inspecting and supervising restaurants, snack bars, food trucks, catering businesses and other establishments where food and beverages are prepared, sold or served.
He is also requesting information on the legislation governing these inspections and whether the government considers the existing legal framework adequate or believes it needs to be modernized.
Monte wants the government to disclose how many routine inspections and complaint-based inspections were conducted during each of the past three years, broken down by type of food establishment.
He is also seeking figures on the number of complaints or reports involving suspected food contamination, inadequate hygiene or people becoming ill after consuming food at an establishment.
The MP wants the minister to explain how such complaints are investigated and documented.
Questions About Inspectors and Laboratory Capacity
Another concern is whether the responsible authorities have sufficient resources to properly supervise Curaçao’s food sector.
Monte is asking whether the government has enough personnel, technical expertise, equipment, laboratory facilities and financial resources to operate an effective, structural and risk-based food inspection system.
If not, he wants the government to identify the shortcomings and explain what measures are being taken to strengthen institutional capacity.
The MP also wants to know whether Curaçao works with accredited laboratories to analyze food and beverage samples when contamination is suspected.
He is requesting details about testing procedures, the average time needed to obtain laboratory results and how those results are subsequently used to protect public health and prevent similar incidents.
Monte has requested written answers from the minister.