SANTO DOMINGO. – The National Institute for the Protection of Consumer Rights (Pro Consumer) destroyed a total of 300,313 damaged, in poor condition, expired and rusty products that were seized in operations carried out in different provinces of the country. They put the health and safety of consumers at risk.
The director of Pro Consumidor, Dr. Eddy Alcántara, said that these products were incinerated and crushed for not complying with the corresponding requirements, as established by Law 358-05 on Consumer Protection.
He explained that these products were seized in stores in the National District and the provinces of Santo Domingo, Santiago, San José de Ocoa, San Cristóbal, La Altagracia, La Romana, Azua, Peravia, San Pedro de Macorís, Monseñor Nouel, Sánchez Ramírez, Samaná, Puerto Plata, Barahona, Duarte, La Vega, among others.
Alcántara indicated that the Pro-Consumer Inspection and Surveillance Body carried out these confiscation operations in supermarkets, grocery stores and minimarkets between the months of January and July of this year, “in the work of safeguarding the health of consumers, as well as ensuring for their economic interests when they buy these products that are not fit for human consumption”.
He explained that among the foods seized and destroyed are rice, pasta, oils, soft drinks, cigarettes, canned food, soups, milk, juices, corn flakes, compotes and cleaning products, among others.
It argued that the products inspected were for verification of quality, safety and hygiene, in addition to not displaying visible prices and that these establishments do not have the system of registers of claims so that consumers can present their complaints due to the violation of their rights.
The incineration took place at the Diverse Classified Waste Collection Company (RESICLA), through a destruction process that respects the environment and current legal regulations.
