Do not substitute quality over quantity
FOOD retailers and restaurant operators are advised to maintain the quality of pastries during the current festive season as consumers will be flocking to buy cakes, bread, buns, scones, fruit loaves, custard pie and other pastries for Christmas.
Consumer Council of Fiji chief executive officer, Seema Shandil, said that during last year’s Christmas season, certain food retailers and restaurant operators compromised the quality and freshness of pastries and consumers ended up mouldy, expired and stale goods.
While the issues about pastries listed above are continuously discovered throughout the year, it becomes particularly prevalent during the Christmas season due to high demand.
“Pastry retailers must not substitute quality with quantity as these are complementary aspects of products which cannot be compromised,” Ms Shandil said.
“Raw material quality, equipment efficiency, sanitation and hygiene, as well as bakery staff knowledge and proficiency all have a part to play in achieving quality.
“By looking at all these aspects, concerned businesses can ensure that the baked goods on their shelves are up to consumer expectations.”
The Council also continues to discover baked goods being retailed without the baked-on dates.
Businesses manufacturing and retailing baked goods are also being reminded to disclose baked-on dates on their products to ensure that consumers can make informed decisions during the purchasing phase.
Baked-on dates let consumers know whether a product is fresh and if they will be able to consume the product before it becomes stale.
“As per Fiji’s Food Safety Regulation 2009, it is obligatory for traders, and all bakeries to place baked-on dates on baked goods which has a shelf life of fewer than seven days.
Understandably, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected businesses, however, this is not an excuse to cover for the losses by selling spoiled baked goods to consumers. This is illegal and it will not be condoned,” she said.
To meet consumer expectations, the Council is recommending that all food retailers and restaurants implement a Quality Assurance System.
“Quality Assurance systems simply require the business to determine consumer preference and ensure that their staff have the skills, materials, and information needed to deliver on consumer expectation every time,” added Ms Shandil.
Finally, consumers are being urged to lodge complaints against any trader or bakery that is found to be selling stale baked goods, and baked goods without baked-on dates. Consumers can report the matter via the Council’s National Consumer Helpline line 155, or email Mobile App @CCoFiji Consumer Council of Fiji www.consumersfiji.org complaints@consumersfiji.org.
Alternatively, consumers can also lodge their complaints using the Consumer Council of Fiji mobile app.