The Nasinu Town Council and the Consumer Council of Fiji yesterday condemned a large quantity of meat at Hansons Supermarket Ltd in Makoi, Nasinu.

After receiving complaints that the meat in the supermarket freezer was not of good quality, the Consumer Council of Fiji pursued the matter with the Nasinu Town Council’s health team.

Health inspector Nimatari Colaudolu said they inspected the freezer and found that the meat and assorted frozen items had gone bad.

“We inspected the supermarket and what we found was not good. This was in the main freezer which is inside the supermarket. These goods were in the freezer for consumers to buy,” he said.

“Meat, a very large quantity of it, butter, yoghurt and other frozen items were found not fit for consumption.

“What we have done is condemn the goods and destroyed it.”

When the Fiji Sun team arrived at the scene, a Nasinu Town Council truck was already more than half full. The stench from the rotting meat was more than obvious.

Hansons Supermarket management have opted not to comment on the matter.

The Consumer Council of Fiji had earlier warned consumers to check the quality of meat products and the hygiene of its storage when they were out shopping.

The council, in its market surveillance, found growing disregard of hygiene practices required under the Food Safety Act 2003 and Food Safety Regulation 2009 by a number of supermarkets across the country.

The council surveyed 22 supermarkets and alarmingly found numerous issues not only about meat, but also rotten fruits and vegetables.

The council also identified a gross infestation of cockroaches around the food storage display areas, butcher sections and the potato and onion display areas.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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