Local Government Minister Premila Kumar [left] and SODELPA President Ro Filipe Tuisawau

Tests on imported food products are carried out but it is not done locally.

Local Government Minister Premila Kumar says there are no specialized labs in the country for the testing though.

Kumar made this comment after SODELPA president Ro Filipe Tuisawau said in parliament that the Consumer Council needs to increase surveillance on imported food products.

The SODELPA president made claims that certain imported food products are the reason behind the increase in non-communicable diseases.

“Fiji is an importer of raw and refined goods and has been a victim of second-hand products. A lot of cars have also been brought into the country. Not only vehicles but recently we have seen a lot of foodstuffs, animal by-products and this has resulted in health and environmental from the consumer compliant side.”

In response, Local Government Minister Premila Kumar said the council carried out product testing and the food items were sent to Singapore for this test.

“So as and when the money was made available, the products were tested. We do not have a high standard lab in the country to do such kind of testing because otherwise, any company can take you to court for releasing such data when your labs are not certified.”

Kumar says the Council’s officers are always on the ground conducting market surveillance and monitoring food products on supermarkets shelves.