Ban on cooked food at market lifted

The ban on certain cooked food at the Suva Municipal Market has been conditionally lifted from today following talks with stakeholders.

Director Health Services Nacanieli Kotoiwasawasa said that the Council has decided to lift the ban on the sale of certain cooked food like those cooked in a lovo, cooked corn, vakalolo, Bila or Fijian Bread as well as Ivi.

According to Kotoiwasawasa, the decision to lift the ban was after talks with the market vendors, who highlighted the fact that the ban affected their daily lives.

He added that special consideration was given to the way the food items were prepared, however stressed that the Council will be closely monitoring the preparation process to ensure that the food safety is being followed.

The ban was imposed following the death of a woman earlier this year after it was believed that she had eaten food from the market.

According to Market Hygiene By-Laws, if vendors defy the ban and are found selling cooked, they would be forced to close their stall or can be charged $200 or face 3 months in prison.