Sale of expired food products unchecked

Many popular retail stores in city sell stale products

Complaints of dateexpired food products being sold at provisional stores and popular retail stores in the city are on the rise. Though some stores take such products back, others argue that customers should check the product before buying and refuse to take the sold product back.

According to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, the seller will be held responsible if any food article is sold after expiry date or stored in unhygienic conditions. If a customer is harmed by the use of expired products, it becomes a criminal offence and he or she can claim compensation.

“When we buy food products from big retail stores, we expect them to sell good quality products. We are already in a rush and do not have time to check each and every product. The basic food safety rules must be followed by these stores,” said Prashanth Sharma.

“The process of exchanging the products is very time consuming and irritating. These should not happen in the first place. Why aren’t we paid for the same? We pay taxes, and pay for the time and the petrol,” said Sharma.

Online shoppers complain that they get expired food items delivered.

“I have to take the risk of ordering products online as they do not mention either the manufacturing date or the expiry date. There were so many instances where I was given a product that was about to expire in two days. Once, I ordered a tea packet worth `800 weighing five kilograms. However, it was about to expire in two days. Worst part is, I left the station the same day I received the delivery. By the time I came back, the return time of 10 days had ended. It would be better if the expiry and date of manufacture are displayed in all online food shopping websites,” said Aman Yadav, who works for an

MNC.

As a number of vegetable delivery apps are gaining popularity in the city, several customers find fault with them. Vegetables displayed on the site look very fresh and of good quality, but when delivered, they are found to be rotten and dry, according to some customers.

“There is always an urgent need for vegetables and the reason to order online is to save time and get fast delivery. However, what is the use when rotten and bad quality vegetables are delivered? Even the same delivery person cannot take the vegetables back and there is a whole return process to follow, which is very tiring,” said Diksha Shah, a housewife.

According to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, the seller will be held responsible if any food article is sold after expiry date or stored in unhygienic conditions.