The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has carried out special raids on several shops and restaurants located near major bus stands and long-distance bus stops across the island.

The operation was conducted within yesterday (20), with officers attached to the CAA inspecting a total of 112 such shops.

The CAA stated that the main objective of the special operation is to protect consumers from unfair trade practices frequently reported at transport hubs used by the public and passengers.

During the raids, several violations were identified, including the sale of beverages, snacks, and packaged food items at prices exceeding the maximum retail price (MRP) set by manufacturers, failure to display prices of bakery products and other food items and goods in a clearly visible manner, and the absence of essential details such as the manufacturing date, expiry date, batch number, and manufacturer’s name and address on packaged products.

The officers also found expired food items being displayed for sale, officials said.

The CAA stated that legal action will be initiated against the shops and restaurants that violated regulations by filing cases before the relevant Magistrates’ Courts under the provisions of the Consumer Affairs Authority Act.

The Authority further emphasized that strict legal action will be taken against traders who sell goods above the prescribed prices and provide substandard food items to the travelling public, irrespective of their status.

The CAA added that similar raids will continue to be conducted islandwide in the future.

Meanwhile, the CAA has requested the public to report information regarding unfair trade practices to its Complaints Unit via the hotline ‘ 1977 ’ during office hours.