JAIPUR: A consumer commission in Jaipur has held PepsiCo India Holdings Pvt. Ltd. liable after a complaint that a packet of Lay’s potato chips contained only 4 grams of chips against the declared net weight of 15 grams.According to a report by Live Law, the commission directed PepsiCo to refund Rs 5, with interest at 6% per annum from April 6, 2022, until payment. It also ordered the company to pay Rs 5,000 as compensation for mental harassment and Rs 3,000 towards litigation costs within one month of the order.If the company fails to pay the Rs 8,000 in compensation and litigation costs within the stipulated period, the amount will attract interest at 6% per annum from the date of the order until payment.The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission-II, Jaipur, comprising President Ashok Sharma and members Ajay Kumar and Supriya Agarwal, dismissed the complaint against retailer Metro Cash & Carry India Pvt. Ltd.The complaint was filed by Chandraman Jalan, proprietor of M/s Jalan Building and Hardware Store, who said he purchased various food items from Metro Cash & Carry on November 10, 2020, to serve guests at his residence, according to Live Law.The purchase included a packet of Lay’s potato chips manufactured by PepsiCo, for which an invoice was issued on the same day.According to Jalan, he noticed that the packet felt unusually light while serving the chips to his guests. He alleged that weighing its contents showed that it contained only 4 grams of chips, against the declared net weight of 15 grams.Jalan said he approached Metro Cash & Carry over the alleged shortage but was dissatisfied with the response. He subsequently filed a consumer complaint on April 6, 2022, alleging deficiency in service and unfair trade practices.Metro Cash & Carry contested the complaint, arguing that any shortage in the quantity of chips could have occurred during manufacturing and that the manufacturer should be held responsible.PepsiCo did not appear despite being served notice, and the proceedings against the company continued ex parte.After considering the complainant’s evidence, including the purchase invoice, the commission dismissed the complaint against Metro Cash & Carry and allowed it against PepsiCo.
