There is alot of misrepresentation and non-disclosure of important information on labels of food items - Consumer Council

The Consumer Council of Fiji says there has been a lot of misrepresentation and non-disclosure of important information on labels of food items and this can pose health and safety risks for consumers.

Speaking at a World Food Day discussion last night, council representative, Tevita Vuibau said the labelling is important because this is the only information consumers have about their food.

He says if consumers are to move to make healthier food choices, they must first be given exactly what they are paying for, and not goods that contain hidden sugar and salt.

Vuibau says the council has also noticed that some food producers mislead consumers where certain foods are sourced from.

He says many consumers are often misinformed in a number of ways and that is misleading advertising as some labelling will have organic and natural labellings and these words give the impression that the particular food is healthy.

The Consumer Council has also noticed how some consumers do not tend to question the number of processes in the food chain between the primary producer and the product that is given to the consumer.

The council is working with the Ministry of Health and the Fijian Consumer and Competition Commission to deal with this.