The sale of expired food products and the presence of flies and pests in food establishments and supermarkets are still a problem in Fiji, a multi-agency inspection task force has uncovered.

Inspection agencies collaborating include the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC), the Consumer Council of Fiji (CCoF), the Ministry of Health (MoH) and municipalities, who have partnered to carry out an extensive joint inspection campaign focused on ensuring the highest standards of food safety across Fiji.

“Under this multi-agency effort, 131 inspections have been carried out across Fiji from December 1 to date,” FCCC said in a statement this week.

“This includes 55 inspections by the FCCC and MoH, and 95 inspections by the Consumer Council.

“Some major issues identified during these inspections include the sale of expired food products, missing price tags, excessive prices on price-controlled items, discoloured meat, and flies/ pests present in food establishments and supermarkets, among other issues.”

The collaborative inspections, FCCC stated, are targeting various aspects of food safety, including hygiene, storage, and distribution practices in markets, restaurants, and food production facilities across the nation.

“There is a need for increased vigilance, particularly during the festive season,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications Manoa Kamikamica.

“We will employ all available resources to ensure all traders adhere strictly to the standards set forth in the Food and Safety Act and through this initiative, we are hoping to set a new benchmark in food safety.”

CCoF chief executive officer Seema Shandil said while many businesses were operating ethically and complying, “there are certain unscrupulous traders who try to get away with duping consumers”.

“So far, our teams have issued 33 warning letters to traders who were found in breach, and we will be re-visiting the places where these notices have been issued to monitor compliance,” she said.

FCCC chief executive officer Joel Abraham re-iterated the importance of food safety and warned of strong actions against regulatory breaches.

“Our message is clear — food safety is paramount. We will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that all food providers adhere to the strictest safety protocols,” he said.

“Food safety and fair pricing go hand in hand, so we will also be on the lookout for pricing breaches.

“As part of our regulatory work, we must consider the price quality path, which involves balancing the cost of goods or services with the quality provided.”