Shoppers are raising the alarm as reports of expired, contaminated, and overpriced food items continue to flood consumer protection agencies. Many families are finding that the products they bring home from the market are far from the quality they expected.
Data released by the Consumer Council of Fiji reveals a worrying trend, with over 200 formal complaints filed against food and beverage retailers this year alone. These grievances highlight a growing gap between what businesses advertise and the actual goods sitting on their shelves.
Food safety is non-negotiable, yet many customers have reported finding items that have passed their expiration dates or show signs of contamination. Others have complained about misleading labels that do not match the price tag or the quality of the product inside the packaging.
Market regulators are now stepping up their surveillance efforts to crack down on these unfair trading practices. They are warning businesses that they must prioritize the health of their customers by ensuring that every item offered for sale meets strict safety standards.
However, the responsibility does not rest on the retailers alone. Experts are urging Nigerians and international shoppers to stay vigilant. Always take a moment to inspect product labels, verify expiry dates, and cross-check prices before you head to the checkout counter.
Source: fbcnews.com.fj
