1,790 complaints were received by the Consumer Council of Fiji in the last five years about food services or food products in supermarkets.
This has been highlighted by the Consumer Council Manager Campaigns, Information and Media, Vinash Singh during the special meeting of the National Taskforce on Food Safety with the Private Sector.
Singh says many consumers have lodged complaints with the Ministry of Health, the municipal councils and FCCC.
He says they find issues with meat products every week.
Singh adds every customer has the right to complain to any supermarket about their food quality or any general complaint and the staff need to know what to do.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Manoa Kamikamica says the government through its regulatory agencies and consumer advocacy bodies had identified food safety issues that are related to contaminated food or food items contaminated by pests such as mice and cockroaches, sale of near-expiry items, storage conditions in the market, tampering expiry dates and temperature controls.
Kamikamica says to ensure that food is safe to eat, food testing and standards are a crucial component of the food safety ecosystem.
He says it has been noted that food products are coming into the Fiji market which are not meeting any standards and we need the cooperation from the private sector and institutions to ensure that the required testing is carried out and the cost is shared with the government.
He adds we should all work responsibly to reduce risks associated with unsafe food preparation and handling as a result of hygienic practices, negligence and improper food handling.
The theme for this year is Food Safety Is Everyone’s Business.
