The Consumer Protection Authority fines more than 100 retailers for price marking violations

The Authority for Consumer Protection and Fair Trade announced yesterday (Sunday) that in recent months it has carried out targeted enforcement in stores selling food and pharma. According to the findings, violations were found in more than 100 businesses and fines totaling NIS 9,246,275 were sent to them.

The Authority’s inspectors conducted audits all over the country and found violations in the display of prices.

The food chains are obliged to display the prices of the products. Although they received relief following the war, until November 18 they were only required to display a clear and prominent shelf sign that included the price of the product and not to mark the prices on all the products, but despite this, supermarkets were found where there was no sign with the product price at all. It was also found that some supermarkets do not show the consumer a price per unit of measure (price for 100 grams or 10 ml).

In addition to these violations, some stores had discrepancies between the displayed price and the final price to be paid at the checkout. Also, some of them lack signage that indicates the products under supervision, their location and their price, and it was found that some supermarkets do not allocate a designated area for products under supervision.

So far, the Authority has announced its intention to impose fines in the amount of NIS 9,246,275 to the violators, and according to the Consumer Protection Law they have the right to argue both against the intention to impose a financial sanction and regarding its amount, within 45 days from the date of delivery of the notice.

Anita Yitzhak, Deputy Commissioner and Head of the Investigations and Intelligence Division: “The authority works throughout the year, and even more so in recent months, to enforce in the markets in order to make sure that the required information regarding the products sold in the business is presented to the consumer clearly, certainly that concerning the price. This is essential information for the consumer at all times And certainly at this time as well. The activity in the field brought up many findings, audits that brought up findings were transferred and are being transferred to the Sanctions Division of the Authority to open administrative proceedings against them. Many dealers found to be violators have already been sent notices of intent to charge.”