Mumbai Consumer Commission Fines Britannia & Chemist ₹1.75 Lakh For Selling Contaminated Biscuit With Live Worm

Mumbai: The South Mumbai District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has penalized Britannia Industries and a retail chemist shop for selling a contaminated biscuit to a consumer.

The commission directed both parties to pay a compensation of Rs 1.5 lakh to the complainant for the mental agony, harassment, and physical discomfort caused. Additionally, Rs 25,000 has been imposed towards the complainant’s litigation costs.

In its order, the commission observed: “The parties have failed to demonstrate that the biscuit packet sold was free from contamination or defect. The manufacturer’s claim of stringent quality checks, without direct evidence, cannot absolve them of liability. The sale of a contaminated biscuit is a grave breach of consumer trust and statutory duties under food safety laws and consumer protection laws. Both parties are jointly and severally liable for the deficiencies and unfair trade practices committed.”

The case dates back to 2019, when Inderpreet Kaur Dhillon purchased a packet of “Good Day” biscuits, manufactured by Britannia Industries Ltd., from a chemist shop — M/s Ashok M. Shah, located at Churchgate Station. While consuming the biscuit, she discovered a live worm embedded inside, which caused nausea, vomiting, and severe mental distress.

She preserved the contaminated biscuit and submitted it for testing to the Municipal Food Laboratory of the BMC. The Food Analyst Report, dated August 29, 2019, confirmed the presence of extraneous matter in the biscuit.

Dhillon had issued a legal notice to the manufacturer on February 4, 2019, but received no compensation. This led her to approach the Consumer Commission, seeking redressal.