The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Thrissur, Kerala, ordered Britannia Industries and a bakery to pay ₹60,000 in compensation to a consumer for selling biscuit packets that weighed 52 grams less than the claimed weight of 300 grams.
A bench consisting of President C.T. Sabu and members Sreeja S. and Ram Mohan R. noted a significant discrepancy between the actual weight and the declared 300 grams on the biscuit packets.
“There is a drastic shortage in the net weight of the biscuits in the MO1 package, specifically more than 52 grams (300-248 grams) less,” the bench stated in its order on September 26, 2023.
The order came in response to a complaint by George Thattil, who purchased two packets of “Britannia Nutri Choice Thin Arrow Root Biscuits” for ₹40 each from Chukkiri Royal bakery, expecting them to weigh 300 grams each as indicated on the packaging. However, the packets weighed 268 grams and 248 grams, respectively.
George filed a complaint with the Assistant Controller and the Flying Squad of Legal Metrology in Thrissur, who confirmed the weight shortage. He then approached the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Thrissur, seeking to prevent such practices and claiming compensation for the financial, physical, and mental loss he suffered due to the manufacturer and seller’s exploitation and deception.
The Commission observed that both Britannia and the bakery failed to file their written statements, despite being served notices, and proceeded ex-parte. During the proceedings, the Commission found both parties guilty of violating the consumer’s rights by engaging in unfair trade practices.
“Such deceptive acts from an erring manufacturer or trader jeopardize the consumer’s dignity and right to live free from exploitation or deception,” the Commission stated.
The Commission determined that the actions of both the manufacturer and the seller violated the Consumer Protection Act and Section 30 of the Legal Metrology Act 2009. Consequently, it directed the parties to pay ₹50,000 in compensation for the consumer’s loss and ₹10,000 for litigation costs.
Additionally, the Commission instructed the Controller of Legal Metrology of Kerala to conduct a statewide investigation and ensure compliance with net quantity standards for packaged commodities.
Advocate A.D. Benny represented the petitioner.
