The Bandarawela Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday (10) fined a popular coffee shop in Bandarawela Rs. 400,000 after the company pleaded guilty to four charges of violating consumer protection laws.
The case was filed following a raid conducted by officers of the Consumer Affairs Authority’s (CAA) Badulla District Office, which uncovered serious offences.
According to the CAA, the company admitted to selling cakes and biscuit packets without mandatory label information such as price, weight, manufacture date and expiry date, while also keeping expired biscuit packets for sale.
In addition, expired food items were found stored in refrigerators and storage areas for use in food and beverage preparation, misleading consumers.
The CAA stressed that consumers must remain vigilant when purchasing food items, even from well‑known branded outlets, and urged the public to check labels, prices and expiry dates carefully.
Violations of consumer rights can be reported via the Consumer Affairs Authority hotline 1977, it added. (Newswire)