Diwali shoppers are being urged to check what religious idols are actually made of before paying, with the Consumer Council of Fiji warning that some products sold as marble may contain marble dust mixed with resin or other materials.
The Council is calling on retailers to clearly disclose the materials used in their products so consumers know exactly what they are paying for, particularly when making expensive purchases.
The warning follows a snap survey by the Council, which found that shoppers may be receiving incomplete or questionable information about the composition of religious idols.
During the survey, a salesperson at one store described an idol as “100 percent marble”, which was being sold at a very high price. However, its weight and feel raised doubts about the claim and suggested it could be made from mixed materials.
The Council says that of the retailers observed, only one clearly disclosed on its product labelling that the idol was made of a polyresin and marble composite.
It says that at other stores, people had to lift the idols and check the labels underneath to identify the materials used, highlighting a lack of clear and visible product information.
Consumer Council of Fiji Chief Executive Officer Seema Shandil says consumers should be able to make informed choices based on accurate information rather than assumptions about a product’s composition.
Shandil says consumers shopping for Diwali should look beyond the appearance of an idol and establish what it is actually made of.
She says buyers should ask whether an idol marketed as marble is made of solid natural marble, marble dust or a combination of materials; where that information is not clearly disclosed, people should seek clarification before paying.
The Council is advising shoppers to ask retailers directly whether an idol is made of solid natural marble, marble dust, resin or a composite material.
It says buyers should also check whether the composition is stated on the product label or invoice and whether the price reflects solid marble or a composite product; where possible, they should ask for the composition to be confirmed in writing.
Retailers are also being urged to review their advertising and labelling ahead of the Diwali shopping rush.
The Council says product descriptions should state the actual composition and avoid vague terms such as “marble-look”, “marble finish” or “marble effect” when an item is not made of solid marble.
It says that retailers should also ensure their staff can accurately answer questions about the materials used in their products; where an idol is made from composite materials, this should be clearly disclosed at the point of sale, rather than only when consumers ask.
People who have concerns about unclear product descriptions or believe they have been misled about the materials used in an idol can contact the Council through the National Consumer Helpline on 155 or email complaints@consumersfiji.org.
