Minor Child Falls Ill After Eating Expired Noodles From Reliance Store In Kangra; Consumer Gets INR 20,000 Compensation

The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, has ordered Reliance Retail Limited to compensate a consumer after a minor child fell ill from consuming expired instant noodles. The panel, led by President Himanshu Mishra alongside members Aarti Sood and Narayan Thakur, directed the company to refund the cost of the product and pay ₹20,000 covering both compensation and litigation expenses. The ruling emphasizes that the responsibility to monitor and remove expired inventory from store shelves rests solely with the retailer.

The matter originated from a complaint filed by a consumer, Jugal Kishore, who purchased a packet of 'Spicy Korean Instant Noodles' from a Reliance Smart Point outlet in Bhawarna, Kangra district, on February 26, 2026. According to the complaint, Kishore's minor daughter consumed a portion of the noodles upon returning home and soon began vomiting. A subsequent inspection of the product wrapper revealed that the item had passed its expiration date on November 28, 2025, meaning it had been sold nearly three months after expiring. Faridabad Shocker: 22-Year-Old Woman Dies Mysteriously After Eating Instant Noodles and Ice Cream in Dinner in Haryana.

In its defense, Reliance Retail sought dismissal of the complaint, arguing that the consumer had failed to present medical records or laboratory reports linking the illness directly to the product. The retailer also invoked the legal doctrine of caveat emptor ("let the buyer beware"), asserting that because the expiration date was clearly printed on the pre-packaged product, the customer shared the responsibility of verifying it before purchase. Furthermore, the company noted that in-store signs advised shoppers to check dates prior to billing.

The Commission explicitly rejected these arguments, declaring that modern consumer law aligns with caveat venditor ("let the seller beware"). The panel noted that shoppers cannot be expected to systematically scrutinize every label for hidden dates while buying routine household goods. It ruled that displaying and selling expired items constitutes both a "deficiency in service" and an "unfair trade practice" under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, directly infringing upon the consumer's right to safety. 'We Categorically Reject': Nestlé India Dismisses Maggi Noodles Infestation Claims, Submits FSSAI Accredited Lab Reports.

Addressing the lack of forensic medical evidence, the Commission stated that consumer court proceedings are summary in nature rather than strict criminal trials. The panel observed that a parent is unlikely to fabricate a child’s illness for a minor financial award and that the sequence of events spoke for itself. The retailer was given 30 days to clear the payment, which includes ₹15,000 for mental agony and ₹5,000 for litigation costs.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 10, 2026 12:39 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).