The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Thrissur, Kerala has directed Britannia Industries and a local bakery to pay ₹60,000 as compensation for selling biscuit packets that weighed significantly less than the declared weight.
Shortage in Weight of Britannia Nutri Choice Thin Arrow Root Biscuits
As per the consumer, George Thattil purchased two packets of “Britannia Nutri Choice Thin Arrow Root Biscuits”, each of which claimed to weigh 300 grams, from Chukkiri Royal bakery.
However, once the biscuits were weighed, it was found out that the packets were found to be 268 grams and 248 grams, respectively. This was much lower than the standard weight of specified packet.
A complaint was lodged by George with the Flying Squad of Legal Metrology’s Assistant Controller in Thrissur, which later verified and confirmed the shortage in weight.
In order to stop illegal practices and claim the compensation as well for the financial, physical, and mental losses due to exploitation and deception, he filed a complaint with the District Commission in Thrissur.
As per the commission led by President C T Sabu and members Sreeja S and Ram Mohan R, the packet had a significant deficit in the biscuit’s net weight in the MO1 package.
The shortfall exceeded 52 grams (300-248).
Compensation Awarded for Deceptive Practices
The bench, while highlighting the “deceptive” practices said that “Such a deceptive act from 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 or deception or any kind of unfair trade practice.”
As per the report, the Commission found out that both Britannia and the bakery had violated the consumer’s right to be free from exploitation and unfair trade practices, contravening the Consumer Protection Act and the Legal Metrology Act of 2009.
Post this, the District Commission ordered the “opposite parties to pay a sum of ₹50,000 towards compensation for the complainant’s loss and rupees ₹10,000 towards litigation costs borne by him”.
The Controller of Legal Metrology of Kerala was also directed “to conduct a State-wise investigation and to take steps to ensure net quantity compliance of the product/packaged commodity”.
