PANAJI
Talking about his experience as an officer in the food business, Food and Drugs Administration designated officer for North Goa Richard Noronha on Friday urged consumers to insist on a bill when buying a food product.
Noronha said that the FDA often received complaints from people about food products, but that the complainants very often didn’t have a bill. He explained that it was very difficult for the FDA to take action against vendors of these defective products, if the customer didn’t produce a bill.
“If you don’t have the bill, it hampers our investigations. Without a bill, the food business operator (FBO) has an advantage as s/he can deny the product was bought from him/her,” said Noronha, addressing a mixed audience of consumers at the Directorate of Art and Culture. The Department of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (DCSCA) had organized a session for consumers on their rights under the Consumer Protection Act 1986.
Noronha also urged people to look out for the key ‘FSSAI’ marking on food products, as well as the Food Safety Display Boards that FBOs have to mandatorily display at all food outlets in accordance with the Act. Speaking on enforcement of the Act, Noronha said it was important that the consumers and the FBOs participate with the DFDA and the government in order to ensure food safety for everyone.
Meanwhile, representatives from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Department of Legal Metrology, and others working for consumer welfare in Goa also addressed the audience. Amongst those present were consumer forum volunteers, members of the Goa Panchayat Mahila Shakti Abhiyan, and students from V M Salgaonkar College of Law.
Dr G Shaber Ali, Director Consumer Clinic, from V M Salgaocar College of Law delivered the key note address at the event on “Importance of Trusted Smart Products for Customers.” Dr Ali advised those present to be careful while giving their Aadhar card details for any service as there are still complaints that giving Aadhar card data is not safe for the consumer.
Coordinator of GOACAN Roland Martins meanwhile addressed those present on the importance of consumer awareness. He told consumers that they had the right to give feedback even on a product like a newspaper, which they were paying to consume. He urged those present to engage with the newspaper they read.
