Antiguans who shop online may be unknowingly purchasing recalled or banned products, according to the island's top consumer affairs official — a trend he describes as a growing and urgent problem.
According to Antigua Observer, Director of Prices and Consumer Affairs Orrin Steele raised the alarm during a Monday morning interview on Observer AM, warning residents about the risks posed by the rapid growth of e-commerce.
Steele cautioned that products purchased through online platforms can bypass the traditional import and inspection channels that would ordinarily flag items that have been recalled or prohibited in their countries of origin. As a result, consumers may be receiving goods that have been deemed unsafe or unfit for sale elsewhere.
The Director stressed that this is not a minor or isolated issue, characterising it as an escalating concern for consumer protection authorities in Antigua and Barbuda. With online shopping becoming an increasingly common practice among residents, the window for such products to enter the country continues to widen.
Steele's warning serves as a reminder for shoppers to exercise caution when making purchases from international e-commerce platforms, and to verify the safety status of products before use. The Directorate of Prices and Consumer Affairs has indicated it is monitoring the situation closely.
