Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Khadijah Ameen has stated that the food badge application process has been compromised by corruption.

Addressing the Senate on The Public Health (Amendment) Bill 2026 on Tuesday, she said the government is aware of public officers who have been taking bribes in exchange for food badges, and an investigation has been launched into the matter.

“They take a whole batch of applicants from people who are not even nationals of Trinidad and Tobago and get it processed and give it to them for a fee. We know that this is happening. We have had reports, and those reports are being investigated.”