Adulterated Kava: A Growing Concern, Urgent Need for Fines and Blacklisting
The sale of adulterated kava is a serious issue that demands immediate attention. The Consumer Council of Fiji has raised concerns about the practice, which involves mixing kava with other substances, and has called for stronger enforcement measures. With consultations on the proposed Kava Bill underway, the Council emphasizes the need for fines and license blacklisting for those found guilty of adulteration.
This call for action comes in the wake of a recent warning from the Ministry of Agriculture about compromised kava quality. The Ministry has highlighted cases where cooking products, including flour, have been mixed with kava, particularly for export, posing a risk to Fiji's reputation in the global market.
The Consumer Council of Fiji has also received reports of bleach products being used in parts of Vanua Levu to clean the kava, which is then sold to unsuspecting consumers. Just two weeks ago, they received a complaint against a kava dealer in the Suva Municipal Market, where a small business owner from Beqa discovered the issue after reselling the product to customers.
The complainant reported that the kava was very powdery and produced a white sediment when mixed with water. The Council's investigation revealed clear differences in appearance and smell between the suspected product and genuine kava samples. The suspected product was pale and grey, with visible white powder and black specks, indicating it had likely been mixed with another substance.
This incident is not an isolated case. The Council has received numerous complaints in the past, including from international consumers, about kava that was dubious in appearance, odour, and taste. The Council fully supports the Ministry's call for farmers, traders, and exporters to maintain strict quality standards.
To protect consumers, the Council advises purchasing kava from reputable vendors and reporting any suspicious products to the Consumer Council via its toll-free National Consumer Helpline 155. The new legislation must send a clear message that adulteration will not be tolerated, and the Council emphasizes the need for fines and blacklisting to deter businesses from engaging in these practices.
