Fiji’s Fight for Food Safety: Will Businesses Be Named and Shamed?

The Ministry of Trade in Fiji is actively reviewing the Food Safety Act and the Consumer Council Act to improve transparency and tackle unethical practices among businesses. A crucial weakness in the current legislation is the lack of provisions that permit public identification of businesses that engage in deceitful actions, which hampers accountability.

Manoa Kamikamica, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, has stated that they are considering legislative changes that would allow for greater scrutiny of businesses, including the potential to publicly name and shame those guilty of unethical practices. He reaffirmed the government’s dedication to ensuring consumers receive high-quality food, pointing to previous actions such as the temporary closure of three supermarkets last year due to non-compliance with food safety regulations.

The Consumer Council of Fiji has also stressed the importance of businesses prioritizing ethical practices over short-term profit gains. This initiative comes at a time when consumer complaints have increased, particularly regarding issues like improper labeling, misleading sales tactics, and the selling of expired or substandard products. In response, the Council has ramped up market surveillance in collaboration with health authorities to enforce food safety compliance amid numerous reports of violations.

Recent inspections have revealed troubling findings in Fiji’s food safety compliance, including supermarkets selling expired goods and the presence of pests in food storage areas. These issues highlight the pressing need for strong consumer protection and accountability within the food industry.

On a positive note, there is a growing trend of collaboration between regulatory bodies and consumers advocating for higher food safety standards and ethical business practices. This collective effort is expected to create a more trustworthy marketplace, ultimately benefiting both consumers and responsible businesses. Ongoing discussions regarding legislative changes, along with the diligence of the Consumer Council and the Ministry of Health, present a hopeful outlook for the enhancement of food safety standards in Fiji’s retail environment. Consumers are encouraged to stay alert and report unethical practices to safeguard their rights and ensure food safety within the marketplace.