Underweight bread has been detected at 54 establishments during a special islandwide inspection programme conducted by Sri Lanka’s Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA).
The CAA said 118 establishments, including retail outlets and bakeries, were inspected from Sept. 1 to 3 as part of efforts to ensure consumers receive bread at the prescribed weight.
According to preliminary findings, underweight bread was detected at 54 establishments where clear weight information was available.
The inspections also found that 76 shops and bakeries had failed to properly display the weight of bread, while 65 had failed to properly display its price.
The CAA said investigations were extended beyond retail outlets to identify the bakeries that produced or supplied underweight bread. A total of 81 bakeries were inspected as part of these supply-chain investigations.
Where underweight bread production was confirmed, bakery owners were instructed to immediately correct their production processes to ensure bread released to the market meets the prescribed weight.
Under the prescribed standards, a full loaf of bread must weigh 450 grams, while a half loaf must weigh 225 grams.
The CAA said islandwide raids, bakery inspections and supply-chain investigations would continue.
Consumers can report complaints concerning bread weight, prices or other unfair trading practices through the CAA hotline 1977 during office hours. (Newswire)
