Discolored meats were discovered in a Labasa supermarket’s storage, leading to a violation notice for non-compliance with food safety standards. Vakaruru Cavuilati, the Divisional North Health Inspector, reported that the findings emerged during a routine inspection conducted alongside the local municipality. He explained that inappropriate storage temperatures caused the meat’s discoloration.
“The discolored frozen products were removed for laboratory testing to assess potential microbial growth,” Mr. Cavuilati noted. He added that the supermarket’s freezer had not been operational for over two weeks and that the management expressed intentions to reopen the storage for fan installation. This situation likely disrupted the circulation of cold air within the unit.
Mr. Cavuilati confirmed that the supermarket has refrained from selling any meat since the freezer’s closure.