Government Alleges Food Giants Deceived Consumers on Product Weights

07/02/2015 - 09h38

The Brazilian Ministry of Justice is taking legal action against Unilever, Nestlé and PepsiCo for allegedly reducing the size of some of their products without informing the consumer. The case is based on accusations brought to the Ministry by consumers.

Well-known products, such as the Kibon and Chocolover ice creams, OMO washing powder, Rexona Men V8 deodorant and Quaker oats are just some of the products which are alleged to have broken the Consumer Defense Code.

The companies involved will have ten days to present their defense to the Department of Consumer Protection and Defense (DPDC, in its Portuguese abbreviation), which is linked to the Ministry of Justice.

If it is proven that the companies reduced product volume without publicizing the change on the packaging, they may be fined in excess of R$7.9 million (USD$2.5 million).

According to the DPDC director Amaury Oliva, in some cases, products with lower weights than those stated have been packaged in larger recipients. In others, the companies have kept the original packaging but have reduced grammage, without any announcement of the change.

Another problem identified is that new weights have not been registered "clearly and explicitly". The legislation states that companies should include characteristics, quantity and ingredients on the main part of the packaging, in lettering of a size and color which are easy to read, especially before and after quantitative changes to the product.

"This practice was extinct. Now we've been observing that it's come back," said Oliva. "I wouldn't say that it's a trend, but the consumer doesn't want to pay a higher price for the same product. It's hard for the market to raise prices."

THE OTHER SIDE

Unilever said that it had not been officially informed about the case; PepsiCo is also awaiting notification.

Nestlé denies any wrongdoing and says that details of changes to Nestlé products have been included on the packaging since the changes occurred, in October.

Translated by TOM GATEHOUSE

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