The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour (M.C.I.L) has launched an investigation into an inappropriately labeled “Spa Baby Skin Oils” product with a swear word on it.  

This was confirmed by M.C.I.L.’s Fair Trading Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Fepulea’i Roger Toleafoa.

According to Fepulea’i, M.C.I.L. has established that the source of shipment is “Fortune Wholesale.”

They have been told to discontinue deliveries of the bottles and to collect bottles from local stores.

M.C.I.L. has also found that the Wholesale received the shipment from China and they have asked them to contact their supplier to discontinue shipping the product to Samoa.

“Without the public bringing this to our attention we would have not known,” Fepuleai said. 

“But we advise the public if they come across anything like this to contact our M.C.I.L. office and we’ll be happy to direct them to the right division so that we can help with their issues.”

Regarding concerns about the standards of labeling, Fepulea’i said M.C.I.L’s Fair Trading Division has helped with a Bill that is with Parliament to enforce the supervision of labels. Part of this includes ensuring the ingredients are on every product as well as appropriate language used on packaging. 

The Bill looks to enforce the standards of labeling for non-food products in focus with the language, context and ingredients clearly labeled on every product that is being imported into Samoa.

M.C.I.L. mostly monitors food items that are in high demand under the General Price Order.

Until the Bill is passed by Parliament, Fepulea’i and his Fair Trading Division team encourage the public to be vocal about these issues.