The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum in Thrissur, Kerala has asked FMCG giant Britannia to pay a ₹60,000 fine for selling underweight biscuit packages. The consumer in Thrissur found that his Britannia biscuit package weighed 52 grams less than the 300 grams claimed on the packet. This forum also included the bakery from where the consumer brought the biscuits in this complaint. Read on to learn more about this case.
Britannia Fined ₹60k For Selling Biscuits Below Packaged Weight
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has slapped a ₹60,000 fine on Britannia and Varakkara-based Chakkiri Royal Bakery for selling biscuits below-packaged weight. The forum received a complaint from George Thattil who brought two packets of ‘Britannia NutriChoice Thin Arrowroot Biscuits’ ₹40 each. He got these biscuits from the Chakkiri Royal Bakery and believed that the biscuits weighed 300 grams each, as claimed on the package.
However, to his surprise, the packets weighed 268 grams and 248 grams respectively. Seeing this, George with the Legal Metrology, Thrissur. There the shortage in the biscuit weight was confirmed. They imposed a basic fine on the company but George wanted to bring this matter in the spotlight and pursued the matter with the district forum.
What The Consumer Court Had To Say About This Case?
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum headed by C T Sabu and members Sreeja S and Ram Mohan R took the matter seriously and sent notices to Britannia and the bakery. After hearing no response from the two, the forum moved ahead with the case hearing.
Seeing the evidence of the allegation, the forum bench said, “It is axiomatic that there is a drastic shortage in the net weight of the biscuit in MO1 package, to be more specific in terms of quantity, the shortage in net weight is more than 52g (300-248) in MO1 package.”
They further added, “Such a deceptive act from the part of an erring manufacturer or trader is tantamount to jeopardising the very dignity of the consumer and his right to live a life free from exploitation or deception or any kind of unfair trade practice.”
Britannia and the bakery were fined ₹50,000 as compensation for the financial loss suffered by the consumer. They further directed them to pay ₹10,000 towards expenses along with 9% interest per annum from the date of filing the complaint till the date of realisation.
This is certainly not what you’d expect from a big company like Britannia! Also, this case is a good example of how being aware helps and even rewards you sometimes! Let us know your thoughts on this in the comments!
Cover Image Courtesy: Britannia & Canva
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