The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission say Motibhai Group of Companies has confirmed that their line of Tan Mackerel is not or has never been banned in Malaysia contrary to statements made in parliament.
NFP parliamentarian Lenora Qereqeretabua had raised concerns in parliament about the Tan Mackerel that was distributed by the National Disaster Management Office in Kadavu.
Qereqeretabua had claimed that in June 2018 Malaysia’s Ministry of Health ordered this very brand to be taken off supermarket shelves because it had been found to contain roundworms.
She had said and yet this is what the government gave to people in Kadavu, and who knows where else.
FCCC General Manager Operations, Seinikavika Juita says they started receiving complaints and concerns from Fijians after this statement and a Facebook post.
Jiuta says they urge Fijians to be responsible and do proper research before making statements, especially if they hold some degree of influence adding that people must realize that they are responsible to uphold ethics and not spread misinformation.
FCCC has confirmed with Motibhai that as for the claims that Tan Sardines or for that matter any other Tan canned fish were banned in Malaysia is highly inaccurate and incorrect.
She says Motibhai has raised this with their supplier Zhangzhou Tan Co. Ltd, who have confirmed that they have not exported any Tan brand of canned mackerel or sardines to Malaysia and also that they have never received any ban or restriction from the local government or Sanitary & Health Department due to any quality issue.
FCCC has obtained written confirmation on this.
Jiuta says if any Fijian, Member of Parliament or otherwise, believes there is a consumer rights breach, they need to follow the proper channels and report it to the FCCC instead of putting out false information which can cause national panic.
Meanwhile, Minister for National Disaster Management and Rural and Maritime Development Inia Seruiratu had apologised if the tinned fish that was part of the assistance provided to recipients in Kadavu was of inferior quality.
However Seruiratu confirmed that there was a health certificate confirming that the product is safe for human consumption.
