Pepsico India fined after Chennai man finds insects floating in his Mirinda

The Chennai Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum had slapped Pepsico India with a fine of Rs 15,000 for insects found inside a Mirinda bottle.

The forum headed by K Jayabalan, chairman and T Kalaiyarasi, member, said that a sum of Rs 10,000 towards compensation for the mental agony to the complainant and an amount of Rs 5,000 towards litigation expenses must be paid by the aerated drinks giant.

According to a report by the New Indian Express P Thalapathy of Aminjikarai went to a bar attached to a Tasmac shop on Strahans Road in Chennai and purchased Mirinda on July 27, 2013. Before use, he noticed some dead insects floating inside the bottle. He lodged a complaint with the forum, alleging deficiency in service, both against Pepsico and the Tasmac bar.

Pepsico alleged that the bar had tampered with the bottle and hence was responsible for it. But the agency to which the bottle was sent for analysis said that they found no signs of tampering.

The forum absolved the bar. It rejected another Pepsico objection that the complainant had not suffered any loss or injury. The forum said that Pepsico was liable for the quality of the product it sold irrespective of its consumption. 
 

• Pepsi
• Mirinda
• Insects