March 15, 2016: As we celebrate World Consumer Rights Day – March 15th – we are provided with yet another opportunity for the rights and responsibilities of consumers to be highlighted. The international theme for World Consumer Rights Day 2016 is ‘Antibiotics off the menu’. In fact, it was stated by Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization that “consumer groups and civil society can play an important role in combating antimicrobial resistance. They are important movers, shakers, and front-line players, especially in this age of social media. Consumers who question the safety of food produced from heavily-medicated animals, and make purchasing decisions accordingly, can have a profound impact on industry practices.[1]”
It is in this environment that it becomes exigent in the celebration of World Consumer Rights Day on March 15th, 2016, that we focus our efforts on reminding you of your rights and responsibilities as informed consumers and share with you some of the steps that the Consumer Affairs Division of the Ministry of Trade and Industry will take to empower you as consumers and protect your interests in the current economic environment.
I am appealing to you therefore to “Know Value, Know Prices, Know More”.
- “Know Value”
In an effort to ensure that your economic interests are protected, the Division continues to engage in projects and research studies in order to provide information to guide you on pricing. For example, the Division will be embarking on a project - ‘Pricing from Source to Consumer’ - which entails reviewing all the factors and costs which contribute to the final selling price of selected food items. From this exercise we expect to derive an acceptable and reasonable price range for the items identified. You will then be empowered with this information to decide whether or not to make a purchase.
As consumers you have the responsibility to gather as much information as possible before making a purchase. You should examine goods carefully, obtain background information by asking suppliers about their return policies, warranties and other purchasing agreements. If you are unsure or unclear, seek clarification/guidance until you are fully satisfied and make a purchase when you are resolute in your decision.
- “Know Prices”
This enables comparative shopping where you, the consumer may compare prices and determine the best value for money, where to shop, and in so doing encourage more effective competition in the marketplace.
The Division continues to monitor prices on a regular basis so that this information can be provided to you, the consumer, in a timely manner. Our current price monitoring activities include the conduct of a monthly Retail Food Price Survey, a monthly Poultry Survey and a quarterly Hardware Survey. The MTI commits to publishing the results of these surveys on the Division’s Facebook page, the Ministry’s website and other media. Being armed with this information, you, the consumer, can make shrewd purchasing decisions.
- “Know More”
Currently, there exists a global health issue concerning the overuse of antibiotics on livestock in the production of meats. This overuse has in turn led to a resistance of bacteria to multiple classes of drugs by humans who consume these heavily-medicated livestock. As part of our campaign, we will shed light on this public health issue and the ways in which you, the consumer can take necessary action to protect themselves. An informed consumer is an empowered consumer. “Know More” is a drive to encourage consumers to exert their power by staying up-to-date on latest health news concerning the use of antibiotics in the production of meats, questioning the safety of food produced, using acquired information to guide purchasing decisions and ensuring the preservation of their health and well-being by contacting the relevant protection agencies established to act on their behalf.
The MTI, through the Division, has made various avenues available where we hear your concerns and attend to them. As responsible consumers, you have the responsibility to inform the Division of unscrupulous practices. This can be done through the Division’s E-mail address: consumeraffairsdivision@gov.tt, our Facebook Page and Consumer Protection hotline at 800-4277.
As part of the Division’s mandate, a National Consumer Educational Campaign is also geared towards further educating consumers on their rights and responsibilities. In the coming months, our staff will visit you in your schools, your community centres, your clinics and in public areas near you to ensure that consumers all across Trinidad and Tobago are informed and empowered to demand their rights as necessary.
“Know Value, Know Prices, Know More” and most importantly Know “the power is on your side”.
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For further information please contact:
The Corporate Communications Unit
Ministry of Trade and Industry
868-625-9947