Government has signalled its intention to bolster customer protection over out of date food and defective cars.

Community Affairs Minister Dale Butler said on Monday that consultation was ongoing with businesses across Bermuda in a bid to set up voluntary guidelines to better safeguard consumers.

The aim is to clampdown on stores selling food past best before dates and garages that sell faulty vehicles and fail to secure parts in reasonable time.

Mr. Butler said business had been "challenged to do better". But if they failed to heed the warning, Government would have no choice but to change the law.

He said Government was now waiting for the results of the consultation before moving forward.