Fijian Trade Minister Manoa Kamikamica has expressed worries about the quality of food products on the market, stating that they do not meet the necessary standards.
Kamikamica has called for the active participation of private sector entities and institutions, such as USP, FNU, and the Ministry of Agriculture, in conducting essential testing and sharing costs with the government.
Unsafe food poses a significant global threat, contributing to over 420,000 deaths in 2022 alone, according to data from the World Health Organization.
Critical food safety concerns include pest contamination, degradation of food quality from near-expiry items, inadequate ventilation, tampering with expiry dates on imported goods, and irregular temperature control maintenance affecting raw food quality.
Kamikamica emphasizes the need for the food industry to integrate stringent standards and collaboration between public and private sectors to mitigate food contamination risks.
