THE Consumer Council of Fiji receives complaints about food every second day, according to consumer officer Senivesi Lutu.
At a food awareness workshop this week, Ms Lutu showed images of unhygienic food practices taken during field visits to food establishments around the country.
“These photos are not supplied to us by consumers, they were taken by us in the field,” she said.
“I just wanted to show these pictures. Food establishments and bakery owners, this can come as an eye opener for you, how you can implement strategies to improve on ensuring that consumers are able to come and buy and consume food safely in your establishments.”
Ms Lutu said the council was working closely with the Health Ministry on this serious matter.
“When consumers come to launch a complaint, we engage them (MOH), and we might also be coming around for training inspections of your establishments.
“We hope we can work together moving forward in terms of ensuring consumers are given a safe place to consume.”
Ms Lutu pointed out a picture of an establishment that had potatoes in the drainage.
“So, after this, it goes into the pot and is served to the customers who are at the front.
“The customers eat, thinking that the food is so tasty because of the flavours that have been added, but they don’t actually know what is happening at the back, where it has been prepared.
“And I believe most of you sitting here, you know what’s happening at the back of your kitchen.
“I encourage you because nowadays it’s hard for a consumer to at least get $10 to come and eat in your food establishments.
“Just ensure that hygiene is there so that we don’t get complaints at the council.”
