BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – CONSUMER Week continues with an exciting list of activities geared toward educating members of the public on their rights and responsibilities as consumers, paying particular attention on encouraging healthy eating habits to avoid the Age of the “Junk Food Generation”.
The week of events, organized by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, began on Sunday, March 15 with a public address to the nation by Minister of Consumer Affairs Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris followed by two consecutive days of visits to the public schools and the Industrial Estate. The visits served to reach a wide range of persons to spread the message of consumer awareness.
In an exclusive interview, Director of Consumer Affairs Howard Richardson told SKNVibes that although March 15 is internationally celebrated as World Consumer Rights Day, the Ministry took the initiative to organize a number of activities throughout the week to increase the chance of connecting with more persons.
He described this year’s theme as “very timely”, indicating that many consumers suffer from chronic non-communicable diseases largely resulting from unfavourable eating habits. He stressed that it is highly critical for consumers to examine the contents of their food and understand what is good and bad for their health before they purchase and by extension consume it.
“It is very important, especially now as the nation continues to feel the squeeze of this economic crisis. Now, consumers’ hard-earned income does not do as much as it used to because of rising cost of necessary commodities. And so, it is imperative that consumers get the best value for their money in terms of the quality and price of goods and services consumed.
“Businesses will try to sell as much as possible to generate more profit, at the same time we must be aware of expired, unfit and unhealthy goods. Thus, it is also within the diligence of consumers to be aware that during hard economic times, sales would drop and items that would normally be disposed may stay on the shelves for a much longer time.
Richards explained that the intended impact is that individuals would fully understand their rights as consumers, that they can receive full cash refunds for products that are not of good quality; they have the right not to consume expired foodstuff and that they have a responsibility to share information with fellow consumers.
The scheduled week of activities continues this evening (Mar. 18) with a feature on Consumer Affairs on Hard Talk on Sugar City Roc FM and a “Cost of Living” panel discussion slated for 7 p.m. at Challengers Community Centre on Thursday, March 19.
Friday’s Consumer Awareness and Health Screening to be held in Independence Square from 11:00 am is also expected to reach a large number or consumers and the week-long programme will culminate in a Consumer Health Walk from Molineux this Saturday (Mar. 21).
World Consumer Rights was first observed on 15 March 1983, and has since become an important occasion for mobilising citizen action, promoting and protecting basic rights of all and protesting market abuses and social injustices which undermine them. Over the years, Consumers International has focused on unethical drug promotion, energy and water as they relate to consumers all over the world.
