PHILIPSBURG:--- The Food Safety Division of the Inspectorate VSA is responsible for assuring that food, water, ice, and drinks that are prepared and sold in Sint Maarten are fit and wholesome for human consumption. Food for consumption that is not prepared, stored, or served under hygienic conditions can cause severe gastrointestinal complaints and infections. The food industry is responsible for producing, preparing, serving, and selling safe food, water, ice, and drinks.
The objectives of the HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) Control plans are to safeguard the manufacturing, preparing, storage, and selling of consumables and are part of the Food Safety supervision process. HACCP is a method where systematically every step in the food process is monitored in order to guarantee a safe final product. The requirement for having a HACCP control plan can be derived from the “Commodities Ordinance” (Warenlandsverordening). The Food Safety division of the Inspectorate VSA is responsible for enforcing compliance with the Commodities Ordinance by conducting inspections and monitoring food products, water, ice, and breweries under this legislation.
All restaurants, supermarkets, bakeries, catering companies, water production companies, ice producers and breweries are required to have a HACCP control plan in place. The Inspectorate VSA will include the required presence and use of the HACCP control plans in its inspections as of August 1st, 2020. Those who are not in compliance with the law will be given 6 months to comply. As of February 1st, 2021 the Inspectorate will be controlling on a zero-tolerance basis.
For any question you may have please feel free to visit the Inspectorate at W.G. Buncamper Road # 33 Vineyard Office Park above the tax office from Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 12:30 and 1:30 to 4:30 or send an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
