ANPC fines several Bucharest hypermarkets with RON 632,000

The Consumer Protection Authority (ANPC) commissioners applied fines of RON 632,000 to several hypermarkets in Bucharest-Ilfov, according to data released on Friday by the institution.

”Starting July 3, 2018, the commissioners of the Bucharest-Ilfov Regional Commissioner for Consumer Protection carried out 43 control actions in order to verify the observance of consumers’ rights and interests, according to the legislation in the field of consumer protection, in hypermarket networks” , announced ANPC.

As a result of the inspections, 43 sanctions for minor offenses amounting to RON 632,000 and 2 warnings were applied, as well as 36 decisions for immediate cessation of unfair commercial practices issued according to Law 363/2007 on combating incorrect trader practices in relation with consumers and harmonization of regulations with the European consumer protection legislation.

“It was decided to stop the sale of 1,321 kg of food in the amount of RON 17,881 and 37,592 liters of flat and mineral water and soft drinks in the value of RON 37,591 and the temporary stopping from the marketing of the quantity of 656 kg in value of RON 16,282 and 89 pieces, amounting to RON 624 of non-food products,” continued ANPC.

Another important deficiency discovered by ANPC agents was the marketing of packaged food re-weighed within the establishment, with a declaration of a net quantity higher than that established by the producer, “implicit in the additional payment for the consumer and the sale of packaged food with declared weight at which, following the weighing, the non-compliance was found,” the representatives of the Authority stated.

In addition, ANPC inspectors have found the following serious deficiencies: storage of food without compliance with the storage conditions imposed by the manufacturer and declared on the product label; the use of unsafe products in the meat cutting space; marketing of products that have applied information on certain prizes on the packaging, the promotion period being exceeded.