By Staff Writer
The local importer of ‘dirty brown sugar’ recalled from shops this week for health safety reasons, is not in the good books of the Minister of Commerce Industry and Labour, Lautafi Selafi Purcell.
How the goods arrived in a health threatening state is currently under investigation by officials from the Ministries of Health and Commerce Industry and Labour
Lautafi did not name the importer but emphasized it is their responsibility to ensure the products are safe and in good quality for consumers.
The sugar was imported from India and it surprised the Minister with Australia and China the usual suppliers of these regularly used food items.
The Minister contends that it is not possible for the Government watchdog ministries to keep a look out for all the imported goods that come in.
“It’s only when we have quality complaints from consumers, once the goods are packaged and placed on the shop shelves, that are we able to respond as we are now,” Lautafi said.
“It’s the responsibility of the importer, under its important license to ensure the food items they bring in are safe for public consumption.”
Lautafi strongly rejected any excuses by importers that they too are unaware of the quality of the imports until they arrived.
He insisted they should have a fairly good idea of the overseas supplier they deal with before they place any orders.
“They cannot allow to import these items and then pretend they didn’t know the quality they’re in.
“Anybody with a brain can tell just by looking at this sugar that it was unfit for public use.”
He was also critical of import companies who put their profit margins ahead of the health and safety of the general public.
Lautafi is adamant there is no excuse for companies who try to import cheap at the risk of health and safety for public.
“There’s no excuse for importing rubbish to make their profits and expect to off-load sub-standard products to the consumers.
“There is still room for them to make their profits from good quality products but they cannot hope to dump these sub-standard items and not expect consumers to pick up on it.”
Lautafi promises punitive actions to be taken against the importer of this ‘dirty sugar’ based on the outcome of investigations currently underway.
“At least the item has been recalled but that doesn’t get the importing company out of the hook, they have to be held accountable.
“We’re at the state now where no importer should ever bring in any sub-standard products for our local consumer market, especially for products like sugar that is used daily.”
The Minister commended the local businessman who raised the alarm by uploading online a video clip of the contaminated sugar to express concern at the safety risks to the public.
Lautafi encouraged the public to do the same when they come across sub-standard products to help inform the proper Government authorities to react.
“Public consumers are the eyes and ears of Government ministries, they’re the ones dealing with these products buying and using them everyday.
“Call the ministries or get in contact with our teams making regular inspections around the country on these issues and they will take up your concerns directly with the companies responsible.
“We now have toll free numbers for them to call or if possible keep receipts of purchase and show them to the ministry if it’s about over pricing.”
The Minister did concede that the company responsible has not had any similar issues in the past and it is the first time they have been involved in a compromising situation with the ‘dirty sugar’ imports.
The final decision on any actions taken against them will be up to the Ministries undertaking the investigations.
