A sweeping surveillance operation has revealed widespread and deeply concerning food safety violations across restaurants in Fiji’s Nausori-Nasinu corridor and the town of Lami, prompting urgent calls for stricter enforcement and significantly increased penalties for non-compliance.
The joint operation, conducted over the past week, involved inspectors from the Consumer Council of Fiji alongside health officials from the Nausori, Nasinu, and Lami Town Councils. A total of 93 restaurants were inspected, and each one received violation notices, indicating a complete lack of full compliance with basic hygiene standards. , the Consumer Council of Fiji released a statement detailing the findings.
Seema Shandil, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council, described the conditions observed as “appalling and hazardous.” Inspectors documented serious cleanliness issues, including greasy cooking equipment, visibly dirty floors, and unsanitary practices in food preparation and storage areas. The presence of pest infestations – including flies, cockroaches, rats, and even cats – was reported in multiple establishments.
Beyond the visible lack of cleanliness, inspectors identified a range of critical food safety risks. These included uncovered food items, potential for cross-contamination between raw and cooked products, the presence of rotten produce, improper thawing procedures, and the misuse of food warmers. Several restaurants were also found to be operating without essential facilities such as consistent access to hot water, adequate ventilation, clean personal protective equipment for staff, and valid health or business licenses.
The scale of the violations points to a systemic disregard for hygiene standards within the food service industry in the affected areas, according to the Council. Shandil emphasized the potential public health consequences, stating, “What we have uncovered in these kitchens is a blatant disregard for hygiene standards, and for the people who pay to eat there. When a kitchen becomes a laundry room, or black, carcinogenic oil is served as ingredients, the business has failed its most basic moral and legal obligation.”
The current penalties for food safety violations are widely considered inadequate and ineffective. Shandil is advocating for the immediate introduction of heavier spot fines and a “name and shame” policy, whereby non-compliant businesses are publicly identified. She believes that increased financial penalties and public accountability are essential to deter future violations and protect consumers.
“The current fines are clearly not a deterrent,” Shandil stated. “We are seeing a pattern where traders treat health violations as a minor ‘cost of doing business.’ This must end. We are calling for the urgent introduction of heavy spot fines and a ‘name and shame’ policy by municipal Councils and the Ministry of Health. If a restaurant cannot maintain a clean kitchen, they have no right to be in business. We will continue to work with health inspectors, since they have the authority to issue fines and abatement notices, to ensure that these kitchens are either cleaned up or closed down permanently.”
The Consumer Council is urging members of the public who encounter unsanitary conditions in restaurants to report them immediately. Consumers can contact the National Consumer Helpline on 155 or submit reports via email. The Council’s actions follow growing concerns about food safety standards in Fiji, particularly in densely populated urban areas.
The findings come at a time when Fiji is focused on rebuilding its tourism sector, a key contributor to the national economy. Maintaining high standards of food hygiene is crucial not only for public health but also for preserving the country’s reputation as a safe and attractive destination for international visitors. The government has not yet publicly responded to the Consumer Council’s calls for increased penalties and stricter enforcement, but the scale of the violations suggests that a comprehensive review of food safety regulations and oversight mechanisms is urgently needed.
The situation also raises broader questions about the capacity of local authorities to effectively monitor and enforce food safety standards, particularly in rapidly growing urban areas. Increased investment in training for health inspectors, improved laboratory facilities, and more frequent inspections may be necessary to address the systemic issues identified by the Consumer Council.
The Consumer Council’s report serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance in ensuring food safety. While the immediate focus is on addressing the violations identified in the Nausori-Nasinu corridor and Lami, the findings have implications for the entire country and underscore the need for a sustained commitment to protecting public health.
