HEALTH Minister Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu has issued a call for nationwide action against rising cases of food and fish poisoning.
Dr Lalabalavu described the cases as severe but preventable health threats affecting Fijians over the past decade.
He did not release local statistics, however, he linked Fiji’s challenges to global statistics of the World Health Organization, which estimates unsafe food causes 600 million cases of illness a year.
“Unsafe food, whether contaminated by bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemicals can lead to more than 200 diseases, from mild stomach issues to life-threatening conditions.”
Dr Lalabalavu said that although children under five make up only 9 per cent of the world’s population, they account for almost 40 per cent of food-borne diseases and 30 per cent of related deaths
“This puts them at risk of malnutrition and, in some cases, death.”
He said there was a need for strict food safety practices throughout Fiji’s food supply chain, from farms and markets to restaurants and homes.
