20 special teams to send packing packaged food not measuring up to rules
In view of increase in complaints relating to packaged commodities during the ongoing festival season, the Delhi Government has stepped up enforcement activities and formed 20 special teams to check malpractices and sale of commodities in violation of rules.
The Commissioner of Food Supplies and Consumer Affairs SS Yadav informed that as per the Packaged Commodities Rules, 2011, each pack of commodity must prominently mention the name and address of the manufacturers and packers. For imported packaged commodities, the package must contain the name and address of the importer.
“Common or generic name of the commodity contained in the package along with the net quantity of the commodity and retail sale price of the package should be mentioned. Month and year in which the commodity is manufactured or prepackaged or imported has to be also mentioned,” Yadav said. Any violation of the above requirement may lead to prosecution under the legal Metrology Act, 2009.
He said that each measuring instrument and weight must be certified by the department, he added.
“People must ensure while buying commodities that the weighing scales, dispenser machines and other measuring instruments are certified and certificate is prominently displayed in the business premises. Violation of these provisions is an offence punishable under the legal Metrology Act, 2009,” Yadav said. He further informed that special teams constituted by the department have inspected 1,825 premises in last one month and have prosecuted 731 violators.
The department has taken action against 431 traders during this period for selling packaged commodities in violation of the Packaged Commodity Rules, 2011. While 300 traders have been prosecuted for using uncertified weights and measures while selling various commodities, the department has also exacted penalty of Rs 21.73 lakh in the last one month from the violators besides filing cases in the courts concerned.
“Action against such malpractices will continue. We appeal to the consumers to be vigilant while buying various items and bring any malpractices to the notice of the department,” Yadav added.