Food hygiene complaints a trend in Lautoka

2025-03-29 02:03:00

Abstract: Fiji's Consumer Council receives frequent food complaints. Unhygienic practices exposed in food businesses demand immediate action. Council & Health Ministry are collaborating to address food safety, urging businesses to prioritize hygiene.

Senivesi Lutu, a consumer affairs officer at the Fijian Consumer Council, stated that the council receives complaints about food almost every other day. This situation highlights the severity of food safety issues in Fiji and warrants the attention of relevant parties.

At a food safety awareness workshop held this week, Ms. Lutu presented photographs of unsanitary food handling practices taken during site visits to food establishments across the country. These photos were not provided by consumers but were taken by council staff in the field to expose hygiene problems in food production processes.

Ms. Lutu emphasized that these photos should serve as a wake-up call for food businesses and bakery operators, prompting them to take effective measures to ensure that consumers can purchase and consume food in a safe environment. She stated that the council is working closely with the Ministry of Health to address this serious issue. When consumers file complaints, the council contacts the Ministry of Health, and training and inspections of the relevant premises may be conducted.

Ms. Lutu also displayed a photograph showing potatoes placed in a drain by a shop. She pointed out that these potatoes would then be put in a pot and served to customers at the front desk. Customers savor the food, thinking the deliciousness comes from the seasoning, but they don't know how terrible the food was prepared. She urged food business operators to ensure food hygiene and avoid consumer complaints to the council, because consumers are working hard to earn money now, and they hope to eat safe and reliable food.