The Department of Fair Trading has found numerous alleged breaches of trade practices and the alleged sale of expired products by one of Fiji's leading supermarket chains, Morris Hedstroms.

The Minister for Trade and Industry, Aiyaz Sayed Khiayum has revealed that after receiving numerous complaints from members of the public and following concerns raised by Consumer Council of Fiji on the trading practices of MH supermarkets, especially on the quality of food products he directed the Department of Fair Trading and Consumer Affairs to conduct a survey of MH outlets.

The survey by the Department was conducted on 10 March, 2010 and on April 7, 2010 of MH supermarkets located in Tamavua, Valelevu, Flagstaff and City Centre.  

Sayed Khaiyum said the results of the surveys have confirmed that a number of food products, canned and frozen, that were retailed had allegedly gone past the stated expiry dates, or did not carry expiry dates at all and the survey also found that certain damaged food products were also retailed.   

Sayed-Khaiyum said he is gravely concerned about such practices and has asked the Department to carry out further investigations and to work with Ministry of Health to ensure that the appropriate standards are met.

The Minister said it has also been that the MH retail company is allegedly engaged in inappropriate trade practices by misusing its market power and he has received complaints from local manufacturers and suppliers.

Sayed Khaiyum said the allegations state that MH is forcing suppliers into oppressive trade terms, such as demanding payment for shelf space, demanding unreasonable rebates and misusing its market share to force suppliers and manufacturers into unreasonable credit terms.

MH Group's General Manager Senaka Amarsingha when contacted this afternoon said he was not aware of the survey carried out and they have not been informed of the findings.

Amarsingha said they will comment after looking through the findings of the survey.