INR 260 Ice Creams Cost Manufacturer INR 18,000: Why Andhra Consumer Court Ordered Payout
An Andhra Pradesh consumer commission has ordered ice cream maker Jyothi Food to pay INR 15,000 as compensation and INR 3,000 as costs after packs sold for INR 260 carried no batch number or manufacturing date, calling it an 'unfair trade practice'.
A pack of ice creams worth INR 260 has ended up costing a manufacturer INR 18,000 after an Andhra Pradesh District Consumer Commission ruled that selling packaged products without a batch number and manufacturing date is a 'clear violation' of the Legal Metrology Act. In its order dated August 31, the commission directed Jyothi Food to pay INR 15,000 as compensation for deficiency of service and mental agony, along with INR 3,000 towards costs, to the complainant, The Indian Express. The bench, comprising President Vajrala V L Narasimha and members K Vijaya Lakshmi and G Punna Reddy, also held that the practice amounts to an 'unfair trade practice'.
The case shows how even a small purchase can lead to a penalty when basic labelling rules are ignored.
How the Case Began
On December 31, 2023, Chigurupati Trinadh bought six butter-scotch and three vanilla cone ice creams for INR 260. He said he and his family later suffered drowsiness, vomiting and loose motions, and that a local doctor told them it was food poisoning. Too Many Ads Before Movie? Hyderabad Consumer Court Slaps INR 75,000 Penalty on Theatre.
When he checked the packets, he found no manufacturing date or batch number. He then approached the manufacturer but was allegedly given an evasive reply.
Trinadh sought INR 1 lakh for deficiency of service and false labelling, and INR 25,000 for mental agony.
What the Commission Said on Labelling
The commission observed that under the Legal Metrology Act, every product sold in package form must display the MRP, batch number, manufacturing date and expiry date. Ice creams sold without these details, it held, were a direct breach of the law. Car Owner Wins E20 Petrol Case, Raipur Consumer Court Orders Replacement or Refund.
'The opposite party sold the ice-creams in package form without batch number, manufacturing date, amounts to unfair trade practice,' the order stated.
Health Claim Not Proven
The commission did not accept the illness claim in full. It noted that the family said they were treated by an RMP doctor, but the complainant 'failed to produce any prescription to establish that they suffered from ill health'. This is why the amount awarded was far below what was sought.
Manufacturer's Defence
Jyothi Food denied the allegations. It said the retailer had been in business for 15 years, had 200 distributors and thousands of customers, and that no complaint of unfair trade practice had been received earlier.
The company also alleged that Trinadh had approached it for a job, was turned down, and then threatened the company and filed a false complaint with the Weights and Measures Department. It denied any deficiency of service and sought dismissal of the case.
The commission partly allowed the complaint.
Key Takeaway
The ruling makes it clear that a manufacturer cannot sell ice creams or any other product in package form without a batch number and manufacturing date, as it violates the Legal Metrology Act and amounts to unfair trade practice.
Where to Complain
Consumers with grievances can call their state consumer helpline (Andhra Pradesh: 1800-425-0082) or the National Consumer Helpline at 1915.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 28, 2026 11:56 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).