Consumer Forum Imposes ₹60k Fine On Britannia For Selling Biscuits Below Packaged Weight

Consumer Forum Imposes ₹60k Fine On Britannia For Selling Biscuits Below Packaged Weight

District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Kerala's Thrissur has asked Britannia Industries, along with a bakery, to pay a compensation of ₹60,000 to a consumer for selling biscuit packets weighing 52 grams less than the claimed weight of the packet.

The bench of President C. T. Sabu and members Sreeja S. and Ram Mohan R. noted a substantial shortfall in the weight of the biscuit packets in comparison to the stated quantity of 300 grams printed on the packaging.

"It is axiomatic that there is a drastic shortage in the net weight of the biscuit in the MO1 package; to be more specific in terms of quantity, the shortage in net weight is more than 52 g (300–28) in the MO1 package," the bench stated in its order of September 26, 2023.

The order stemmed from a complaint filed by George Thattil (the complainant), who had purchased two packets of “Britannia Nutri Choice Thin Arrow Root Biscuits” manufactured by Britannia at ₹40 each.

Assuming the biscuits weighed 300 grams each, as indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging, George purchased them from Chukkiri Royal Bakery. However, upon inspection, the packets were found to weigh 268 grams and 248 grams, respectively.

George filed a complaint with the Assistant Controller of the Flying Squad of Legal Metrology in Thrissur, who confirmed the weight discrepancy.

Subsequently, he approached the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Thrissur, seeking an order to prevent the manufacturers and sellers from engaging in such illegal practices. He also sought compensation for the financial, physical, and mental losses he incurred due to the exploitation and deception.

Despite being served notices, both Britannia and the bakery (referred to as opposite parties) failed to submit their written statements to the District Commission. Consequently, the Commission proceeded against them ex parte and found that both parties had violated the consumer's right to a life free from exploitation, deception, or unfair trade practices.

"Such a deceptive act on the part of an erring manufacturer or trader is tantamount to jeopardizing the very dignity of the consumer and his right to live a life free from exploitation, deception, or any kind of unfair trade practice," the consumer forum added.

The Commission stated that the actions of both the manufacturer and the seller constituted unfair trade practices and were in violation of the Consumer Protection Act and Section 30 (penalty for transaction in contravention of standard weight or measure) of the Legal Metrology Act 2009.

Consequently, the Commission ordered the opposite parties to pay ₹50,000 as compensation for the complainant's losses and ₹10,000 to cover his litigation expenses.

Additionally, the Controller of Legal Metrology of Kerala was instructed to conduct a statewide investigation and take necessary measures to ensure compliance with net quantity standards for the product or packaged commodity.