We are what we consume

The theme of this year’s world consumer rights day is ‘the right to healthy food’. Knowing what to eat and learning to make the right choices at the shops are an integral part of consumer welfare.

Expenditure on food and beverage takes up a substantial proportion o consumers’ disposable income – more so when a consumer’s income is low, in that, the lower the income, the higher the proportion spent on food. Hence, the worrying tendencies of these consumers opting for cheaper processed foods. The convenience of processed food and the sometimes slightly lower prices are given priority over long-term health.

Consumers are thus being encouraged to look for information regarding the food products they are buying for their families. In this way they can understand better what they are eating and, in some cases, the harm they may be causing to their health.

EU legislation already covers wide-ranging aspects related to the food intake of its consumers. The food “EU Regulation 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers” came fully into force in December last year. This is a comprehensive piece of legislation that recasts a number of piecemeal legislative instruments that were already in force as well as giving more power to consumers by ensuring that all necessary information with regard to food products is provided.

Consumer affairs minister Helena Dalli

The tools available to consumers to seek information are on the increase. The internet is replete with information on health and nutrition advice. However, this also exposes the increasing digital divide among consumers: those who are not IT literate cannot benefit from this information.

The government is committed to fill this gap by increasing expenditure in consumer education – not only at a younger age where IT literacy is very high, but also with older people (the segment who are the least active online and will make little or no use of these tools).

As consumers, we must learn to be assertive. Assertive consumers are more likely to ask for all the information when buying a product. This is backed by a strong consumer office which can take the necessary action when needed. This is why we are investing in more human resources particularly in the area of enforcement and market surveillance. Enforcement is an integral part of our consumer protection policy.

The Office for Consumer Affairs at the MCCAA also continuously conducts inspections in various food stores to ensure that there are no unfair commercial practices.

Last week the office of consumer affairs embarked on a series of activities in the run-up to world consumer rights day, the 15th of March. Amongst other initiatives, there was the launch of a publication “Int konsumatur: dawn huma d-drittijiet tieghek”, a handbook for consumers that includes practical advice on shopping directly and from online retailers, guarantees, buying goods from sales, shopping when abroad and others situations which consumers may face.

Education is an on-going necessary process. Both consumers and retailers must be aware of their rights and obligations. But not only this. Consumers must learn how to make good choices, especially when it comes to the choice of food we buy for our families. We are what we eat, and thus we need to understand the importance of healthy food for healthy bodies.

Helena Dalli is Minister for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties