🔍 VBS Launches Nationwide Crackdown on Non-Compliant Food Products

Port Vila, Vanuatu – October 23, 2025 – The Vanuatu Bureau of Standards (VBS) today announced a major new nationwide operation to safeguard the quality and safety of food products on store shelves across the nation. The "National Retail Shop Conformity-Assessment and Inspection Surveillance Exercise" is the first operation of its kind, combining rigorous on-the-ground inspections with advanced scientific laboratory testing.

VBS Inspection Officers carefully checking product labels and expiry dates during a routine inspection.

Why is This Operation Necessary?

Vanuatu's food supply increasingly relies on imported goods. While this offers more choice, it also brings risks. Previous checks by various authorities have found expired products, misleading labels, and substandard packaging on sale to the public.

Acting on a direct mandate from the Council of Ministers, VBS is taking decisive action to protect consumers and ensure a fair marketplace for all.

"The health and safety of every ni-Vanuatu consumer is our top priority," stated the CEO of VBS. "This exercise is not just about removing bad products; it is about setting a new, higher benchmark for food quality and safety in our nation. We are sending a clear message that non-compliance will not be tolerated."

A Scientific Approach to Food Safety

This is not just a simple spot-check. This high-level operation integrates physical inspections with detailed laboratory analysis conducted by the VBS's own laboratory. This means the findings are based on scientific evidence, providing an accurate picture of the food environment in Vanuatu for the first time.

The key goals of the operation are to:

• Verify that all labelling is truthful and products are within their expiry dates.
• Ensure both imported and local products meet strict safety and hygiene standards.
• Build a baseline of data to guide future government policy on food safety.

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Example of non-compliance: Products found with expired dates or incorrect labelling will be removed from shelves.

What Will the Inspections Involve?

The exercise will be carried out in phases across major retail outlets in Port Vila, Luganville, and provincial centres.

The process is as follows:

1. Notification: Retailers are being formally notified of the exercise.
2. Inspection: VBS officers will physically inspect products, storage areas, and documentation.
3. Sampling: Samples of key items like dairy, canned goods, beverages, and snacks will be collected.
4. Lab Testing: Samples will be tested for microbiological and chemical contaminants to ensure they are safe for consumption.
5. Action: Products found to be non-compliant will face regulatory action, and findings will be reported to the government.

Protecting You and Our Market

The expected outcomes of this landmark initiative are:

• Enhanced Public Health: Removing unsafe and substandard food from circulation.
• Fair Competition: Creating a level playing field for honest businesses.
• Consumer Trust: Giving you the confidence that the food you buy is safe and accurately labelled.
• Stronger Regulations: Providing the data needed to build even better food safety laws for Vanuatu.

Samples collected from retail shops undergo rigorous testing at the VBS Laboratory to verify their safety and quality.

Operation Timeline

The exercise will be conducted according to the following schedule:

• Phase 1 (End of October): Official notices and stakeholder coordination.
• Phase 2 (November - December): Retail shop inspections in Port Vila and Luganville.
• Phase 3 (November - January): Laboratory testing and analysis of all collected samples.
• Phase 4 (February): Reporting of findings and recommendations to the Council of Ministers.

This exercise represents a major step forward in the Government of Vanuatu's commitment to public welfare. VBS, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Department of Biosecurity, and local authorities, is dedicated to ensuring that the food you feed your family meets the highest standards of safety and quality.

For more information, contact:
Vanuatu Bureau of Standards (VBS) | P.O Box 6532, Port Vila | +678 25978

Stay informed. Stay safe. VBS is committed to protecting the people of Vanuatu.