Consumer protectors can do more than name-and-shame

As the above cases have shown, consumer protection is not only the mission of the CPC or Consumers' Foundation. Depending on the product in question it can fall on a bunch of government departments. As a result, consumers sometimes receive confusing information from different authorities.

For example, the prosecutors in Kaohsiung involved in the salt case initially announced that uneatable industrial salt is passed eatable salt, only to be corrected by the tests conducted by the DOH in Kaohsiung later.

Government departments should establish robust channels to discuss and exchange information on investigations on consumer product safety and standards. Setting up an interdepartmental task force on consumer protection that would provide a single outlet for the public to make inquiries and report would be a good step.

On the other hand, naming the troublemaking businesses is only half of the equation. For starters, some busted businesses may simply just lay low for a while, change their name and resort to doing the same old tricks again. In addition to discouraging wrongdoing, the authorities should help make honesty the best business strategy.

The government can increase the public exposure of businesses that are maintaining their standards and providing good quality products and services.

The existing National Standard Certification is simply too official and low key to attract public interest.

Through actions such as presenting awards to good businesses and food producers, the government could create a strong incentive for these honest businesses.

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