Consumer Council of Fiji calls on authorities to address serious issues at food establishments

The Consumer Council of Fiji says almost 50 percent of the 111 food establishments surveyed are either operating without a valid Health License or displaying an expired Health License while 82 percent of the outlets had a presence of flies and cockroaches.

Council CEO Seema Shandil says they are only an advocacy body, and it is now up to the relevant enforcement bodies like the Municipal Councils and the Ministry of Health Food Unit to ensure that these restaurants comply with the Food Safety Act 2003.

The council undertook the operation in June which covered establishments in Suva, Lautoka and Labasa.

Shandil says an even higher percentage of establishments, 80 percent (89 out of 111), lacked any form of insect control measures, leading to increased risks of contamination from flies and cockroaches.

Equally alarming was the finding that a significant portion, 64 percent (71 out of 111), of the establishments were in need of a thorough cleaning.

Shandil says numerous restaurants were found to have staff members not wearing the correct Personal Protective Equipment such as gloves, hairnets and closed shoes, which further jeopardized safety.

The Council says they also uncovered an alarming lack of adherence to food grading requirements, where 81 percent of the restaurants surveyed (90 out of 111) failed to display a valid Food Grading Certificate.

Shandil says the Food Grading system allows restaurants to be awarded either ‘A’ grade (90%+ compliance to Food Safety requirements), ‘B’ grade (80-89% compliance), C grade (70-79% compliance) and D grade (Less than 70% compliance).

She further says analysis revealed additional critical areas where restaurants fell short as 69 percent (77 out of 111) of the surveyed restaurants were found to be neglecting the use of functioning food warmers for their cooked food.

Shandil adds they are also requesting for restaurant owners and staff to focus more on proper food handling, sanitation practices, and good customer service.

The Consumer Council says the Ministry of Health Food Unit is authorized to cancel or revoke the Health License based on their findings or recommendations provided by the Municipal Councils regarding the non-compliance issues found with establishments.