The Consumer Council of Fiji is calling on enforcement agencies for more stringent monitoring and policing after a snap surveillance operation found supermarkets selling expired food items.
Council CEO, Seema Shandil says such products should never have made their way onto supermarket shelves in the first place.
In a fresh round of snap surveillance operation conducted earlier this month, the council says 4 supermarkets have been found retailing expired products in the greater Suva area.
Shandil says even more alarming was the deliberate tampering with product labels by one prominent supermarket in Suva City, which removed expiry dates and left behind ink residue.
She says this blatant violation of ethical standards and food safety regulations has raised serious concerns regarding consumer health and well-being.
Shandil emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating this practice is not only unethical but also poses a significant risk to consumers' health and well-being.
She says consumers trust retailers to provide them with safe products, and it is our collective responsibility to uphold this trust.
The council has already issued warnings to the supermarkets involved and is communicating directly with their respective directors.
The relevant municipal councils have also been promptly engaged, resulting in initiation of further enforcement against these supermarkets.
Consumers are urged to play an active role in ensuring their safety by exercising critical awareness.
Always check the expiry dates of products before placing them in your shopping carts. If you come across any supermarket retailing expired products, do not remain silent. Pick up the phone and dial the national consumer helpline 155.
No statements have been released by the municipal councils as yet on how they are dealing with this situation.
We have sent questions to the Suva City Council.
