Barbados has the size to solve its own health crisis of noncommunicable diseases, and the food industry is being called on to help make it happen.

That was the central message from Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Davidson Ishmael, as he addressed the opening of an Engagement With The Food Industry For Healthier Food Environments held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre on Monday.

“I have a vision that this small island will be the healthiest nation on earth,” he told the gathering of food industry leaders, academics, policymakers, civil society representatives and health officials. “We are small enough that we can do it – 166 square miles,” he stated.