Chennai: The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Chennai (North), has imposed a fine of Rs 15,000 on Pepsico India for manufacturing defective product.
The petitioner P. Thalapathi of Aminjikarai submitted that he visited the Tasmac shop, Strahans Road, on July 27, 2013, and ordered for Mirinda. Thalapathi noticed some sediment in the bottom and insects like object floating inside the bottle.
The manufacturing date was mentioned as September 26, 2013. The Tasmac manager informed him that the drink was delivered by the authorized PepsiCo dealer.
On informing soft drink customer care executive on July 28, 2013, an executive verified the bottle. However, no action was taken. In the petition, he stated that the Pepsico India committed deficiency in service as it supplied defective soft drink. Hence, he sought direction to the soft drink giant compensation for causing mental agony.
The product was sent for analysis to King Institute, Chennai and the report said the soft drink was bottled and sealed and found to be aerated with metal crown cap. It also contained dead insect and insect fragments of 0.41 grams and hence the sample was unsafe for consumption.
Denying the allegation, Pepsico India replied that the company manufactures soft drink in a hygienic condition with clean atmosphere. The content in the bottle was not manufactured by the firm. The petition creates suspicion that it was filed to claim huge monetary benefit in a manner unknown to law. The soft drink was is fit for consumption six months from the date of manufacture. After six months it would be unfit for consumption. The bottle was sent for analysis nearly after one year and 10 months. Hence, the company sought the forum to dismiss the petition.
The bench of president K.Jayabalan and member T.Kalaiyarasi, said the firm committed deficiency in service for manufacturing defective product. It directed the firm to pay a compensation of Rs 15,000 to the petitioner for causing mental agony. Plea against Tasmac manager was dismissed.
