World Consumer Rights Day

Consumer affairs is of interest to everybody, because all human beings are, at some point in their life, consumers. Hence, the celebration of the eight basic consumer rights is a worldwide event marked yearly on March 15.

This year, the internationally adopted slogan for World Consumer Rights Day is the effect of junk food advertising on children. Statistics show that about 22 million children around the world, aged under five, are overweight or obese.

To protect children from being bombarded with unhealthy food promotion, and thus encourage them to healthier eating habits, Consumers International has asked the World Health Organisation to develop an effective international code on the marketing of unhealthy food for children, and for it to be adopted and implemented by governments around the world.

The Consumer and Competition Division is marking World Consumer Rights Day with a family activity at Ta' Qali National Park, today between noon and 5 p.m. Since information is the best weapon consumers have to protect themselves, families attending will also be provided with information on the eight basic consumer rights and on the effect of junk food on health and the benefits of healthy food.

Only through correct information can consumers make the best choices to satisfy their needs. Through information, consumers can find out more about the product they're about to purchase - what it's made of, how much it costs, how it should be used, what are their rights if it is defective, or not in conformity with the contact of sale.

Moreover, any questions consumers may have about their rights can be directly asked to the officers from the division, who will be present to answer queries.

There will be fun activities, such as face painting, go karts, pony rides, magic shows, puppet shows, a bouncing castle and artists painting/sketching on site. There will also be food stalls with local products.

Students who took part in and won competitions organised by the Consumer Affairs Directorate within the Consumer and Competition Division will be presented with prizes by Finance Minister Tonio Fenech.

Ms Vella is senior information officer, Consumer and Competition Division.

customer@timesofmalta.com, odette.vella@gov.mt