alleged unfair trade practice after he complained that packets of the corporate’s biscuit brand Sunfeast Marie Light had one biscuit lesser than that advertised on the wrapper.
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, in a recent order, also directed the company to “discontinue the selling of the disputed biscuits ‘Sunfeast Marie Light’ in Batch No.0502C36 with the specific endorsement.” It dismissed the company’s submission that the challenge made with regard to weight of biscuits would not apply.
Complainant P Dillibabu of Chennai alleged there were only 15 biscuits inside the packets as against the advertised 16. “It is argued by the learned counsel for the first opposite party (the company) that the product was sold only based on the weight and not on the number of biscuits. Such arguments cannot be accepted as the wrapper clearly provides the information to the buyers/consumers to purchase the product only based on the number of biscuits,” the court said.
The court went on to elaborate how product information printed on the wrapper influences consumer behaviour.
“A potential consumer would only see the wrapper to decide to decide if to purchase the product. The product information available on the packet influences the consumer’s buying behaviour and that the product information available on the wrapper or label plays a significant role in customer satisfaction,” the court order added.
It said the paramount allegation in this case was only with regard to fewer biscuits in a packet. The court held ITC Foods responsible for “unfair trade practice, deficiency in service and for misleading the customer”.
PTI
