GEORGE TOWN: Consumers should report directly to the authorities when they buy spoiled food at Ramadan bazaars, instead of posting about them on social media.
Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) president Mohideen Abdul Kader said this was the correct way to exercise their rights when faced with such incidents.
"Consumers who have bought food that have gone bad should report it to the authorities rather than use social media to vent their anger," he told the New Straits Times.
He said many consumers were unaware of their rights.
He said the problem of bad food at Ramadan bazaars was due to unscrupulous traders trying to make profit.
"Left over food from the previous day are being pushed off to unwary consumers.
"The problem worsens when some food traders are in the trade only during Ramadan, thus the food prepared are not to the usual standard."
Mohideen said, on the other hand, the authourities should be more vigilant during Ramadan.
"The Health Ministry and the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry should visit Ramadan bazaars and take action on traders who have violated the law," he added.
Mohideen also urged consumers to be selective in buying food for their family.
"They should try to cook for the family and avoid buying food which are not only low in quality but could be harmful to their health," he said.
Sharing a similar sentiment is Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) treasurer-general Nur Asyikin Aminuddin.
She said consumers have an option to choose.
"So, why don't we avoid from buying from those irresponsible sellers?
"It's like a silent boycott to them, so that they are aware that they need to improve their food quality," she told the NST.
She said, so far, it has not received any complaint yet, adding that consumers preferred to complain through their social media.
"We can lodge complaints through the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry so that they can give a warning to the sellers," she added.
According to Nur Asyikin, this is happening time and again because consumers keep supporting their businesses.
"If we start to avoid them, this will be a catalyst to them to improve their food quality," she said.
