The Price Monitoring and Enforcement Taskforce has revealed alarming violations by multiple supermarkets on the first day of its pre-festive season inspections in the Western Division. This multi-agency initiative includes representatives from the Ministry of Finance, the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission, the Fiji Revenue & Customs Service, and the Consumer Council of Fiji. The inspections, conducted as part of a broader effort to safeguard consumers during the festive period, uncovered numerous areas of concern.
Supermarkets were found to be in violation of regulations, receiving notices for not displaying correct price labels, with reports of missing or misleading pricing information on various items. Significant issues were also noted, including the presence of expired products on shelves and instances of non-compliance with recent VAT reductions.
Misleading promotional practices were highlighted, as some items advertised as special deals were charged at regular prices at checkout, despite displaying discounted prices in-store. Additionally, inspectors documented poor store conditions, including leaking roofs, missing floor tiles, and dirty or rusted shelves and freezers, raising questions about hygiene and product safety.
Quality control came under scrutiny as well, particularly concerning meat products. Inspectors noted the absence of temperature indicators and observed soiled frozen meat in some supermarkets. These findings serve as a stern warning to dishonest traders, emphasizing that exploiting consumers—especially during the festive season—will not be tolerated.
The Ministry of Finance, along with its Taskforce partners, is committed to protecting Fijian families from unfair trading practices, ensuring that all retailers adhere to legal standards. Inspections are set to continue today across various locations, including Lautoka, Ba, Tavua, Rakiraki, and Korovou, as efforts to uphold consumer rights are intensified.
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