Strict laws followed by heavy fines are essential to control the increasing amounts of substandard products flowing into the local market that pose a grave threat to the health of the consumer, the CAA said.
Referring to the recent detection of several thousand kilograms of chilli powder and ground black pepper unfit for the human consumption, Deputy Director Investigations Consumer Affairs Authority Asela Bandara said the existing laws are not strict enough to discourage the wrongdoers.
The existing laws pertaining to the Consumer Affairs Act are as fines varying from Rs.1, 000 to Rs.10, 000 if it is not a private limited company and if it is a private limited company the fines will only be ranging from Rs.10, 000 to Rs.100, 000. Also a six-month prison term is imposed depending on the case.