Latest news with #consumerprotection
The Independent
5 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
Calls to tell shoppers if they are buying food items hit by shrinkflation
Liberal Democrats are pushing for a legal requirement that supermarkets notify shoppers when the quantity of a pre-packaged product has been reduced, leading to a higher unit price, a practice known as " shrinkflation." The proposed amendment to the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill would require large supermarkets to display details of these changes on or next to the product for 60 days. A 2024 study showed that items like digestive biscuits, butter, crisps, and chocolate bars have decreased in size while their unit cost has increased. Lib Dem trade spokesman Clive Jones stated that shoppers are being forced to "pay more for less" by large companies and supermarket chains to protect their profits and need to be informed when they are at risk of being ripped off. A Department for Business and Trade spokesman said the government is committed to protecting consumers from unfair practices through clearer labeling for prices on supermarket shelves.
The Independent
11 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
Shrinkflation: Supermarkets could be forced to tell customers if they are paying more for less
Supermarkets could soon be required to inform customers when they are effectively being asked to "pay more for less", under new proposals aimed at tackling " shrinkflation". The Liberal Democrats are pushing for an amendment to government legislation that would legally oblige large supermarkets to notify shoppers when the quantity of goods in a pre-packaged product has been reduced, leading to an increase in the price per unit. Under the proposed amendment to the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, details of these changes would need to be displayed on or next to the product for a 60-day period. Research conducted by Compare the Market in 2024 revealed that items such as digestive biscuits, butter, crisps, and chocolate bars have seen a decrease in size while their unit cost has increased. MPs may vote on the Lib Dem proposal on Wednesday, when the Bill is scheduled to return to the Commons for its report stage. Lib Dem trade spokesman Clive Jones said: 'The scourge of shrinkflation needs to be exposed. 'Shoppers have been hammered during a cost-of-living crisis all while massive companies and big supermarket chains are forcing them to pay more for less to protect their bottom lines. 'They need to be called out on it and for shoppers to know when they are at risk of being ripped off. 'The Government should accept this Liberal Democrat amendment so that we can help protect shoppers and their already stretched household budgets from another round of shrinkflation.' The Bill as a whole gives powers to ministers to regulate the marketing and use of goods in the UK after Brexit. It was previously amended in the House of Lords to provide protections to the imperial pint measure to ease fears over its future. The changes accepted by the Government would bar ministers from preventing or restricting the use of the pint in relation to draught beer, cider or milk in returnable containers. It also provides a definition of a pint as 0.56826125 cubic decimetres. A Department for Business and Trade spokesman said: 'We're committed to protecting consumers from unfair commercial practices and making sure they have all the information they need to make informed decisions on purchases. 'That's why we're bringing in strict new laws next year to make sure businesses use clearer labelling for prices on supermarket shelves, and retailers show all unit prices in either kilograms or litres to improve clarity for shoppers.'
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Columbus cement contractor accused of defrauding consumers of $70,000
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – An Ohio contractor is being sued by the city of Columbus after customers allegedly lost over $70,000 in unfinished work. According to the Ohio Attorney General's Office, Ron Lewis, of Ron Lewis Cement, is accused of abandoning concrete jobs and engaging in deceptive business practices. The lawsuit filed in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas states that Lewis, of Blacklick, violated the Consumer Sales Practices Act and Home Solicitation Sales Act after 10 consumers lost around $70,000 combined after hiring Lewis for concrete-pouring jobs. Why South-Western City Schools parents are considering leaving the district Lewis, the lawsuit said, stopped completing jobs as of at least March 2024, despite accepting up-front payments. Two consumers reported that Lewis excavated their existing driveway but never finished, and others said he performed no work at all or provided excuses for delays and failed to fulfill his end of the contract. The lawsuit also states that Lewis did not register his business with the Ohio Secretary of State, violating the CSPA, and did not provide customers with a required three-day cancellation notice, violating the HSSA. The Attorney General's Office is seeking restitution for affected consumers as well as civil penalties and injunctive relief. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBC
2 days ago
- General
- CBC
Diabetes Canada warns about products with fake endorsement
Diabetes Canada says it has received hundreds of phone calls about social media ads for medical products claiming to be endorsed by the organization, something it says it never does.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Lidl urgently recalls popular protein snack from shelves due to ‘health risks' as shoppers urged to ‘return them'
LIDL has urgently pulled a popular protein snack from shelves over health fears, urging shoppers to return it immediately. The Cookies & Cream Protein Bars, made by Healthy Fit, are being recalled from Lidl stores in Northern Ireland because they contain milk and soya, which are not declared in English on the label. 2 2 This poses a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy or intolerance to milk or milk constituents, and/or an allergy to soya. The Food Standards Agency issued an allergy alert warning: 'This product contains milk and soya making it a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy or intolerance to milk or milk constituents and/or an allergy to soya.' Healthy Fit is recalling the product and has been advised to contact relevant allergy support organisations. Lidl will display point of sale notices in affected stores to explain why the bars are being removed and what customers should do if they have purchased them. The recall affects the 60g Cookies & Cream Protein Bars with the batch code 002851 and a best before date of January 2026. Customers who have bought the bars and have an allergy or intolerance to milk or soya are advised not to eat them. Instead, they should return the product to the store where it was bought for a full refund, with or without a receipt. Your product recall rights Chief consumer reporter James Flanders reveals all you need to know. Product recalls are an important means of protecting consumers from dangerous goods. As a general rule, if a recall involves a branded product, the manufacturer would usually have lead responsibility for the recall action. But it's often left up to supermarkets to notify customers when products could put them at risk. If you are concerned about the safety of a product you own, always check the manufacturer's website to see if a safety notice has been issued. When it comes to appliances, rather than just food items, the onus is usually on you - the customer - to register the appliance with the manufacturer as if you don't there is no way of contacting you to tell you about a fault. If you become aware that an item you own has been recalled or has any safety noticed issued against it, make sure you follow the instructions given to you by the manufacturer. They should usually provide you with more information and a contact number on its safety notice. In some cases, the manufacturer might ask you to return the item for a full refund or arrange for the faulty product to be collected. You should not be charged for any recall work - such as a repair, replacement or collection of the recalled item Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
