In a case that underscores growing concerns around food safety and consumer rights, the Consumer Grievance Redressal Commission has ordered Britannia Industries to pay a total compensation of ₹1.75 lakh after live larvae were discovered in a packet of ‘Good Day’ biscuits.
The compensation includes ₹1.50 lakh to the complainant — a 32-year-old woman — and ₹25,000 to the shopkeeper from whom the product was purchased. The commission ruled that the product was contaminated and defective, posing a serious health risk.
The complaint dates back to 2019, when the woman purchased a box of Britannia Good Day biscuits from a store near Churchgate railway station in Mumbai. After consuming two biscuits, she began to feel unwell. Upon further inspection of the box, she discovered live larvae inside the remaining biscuits.
Disturbed by the incident, she confronted the shopkeeper, who allegedly gave vague and unsatisfactory responses. She then reached out to Britannia’s customer care service, but reportedly received no helpful response.
Determined to seek justice, the woman filed a complaint with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The contaminated biscuits were sent for laboratory testing, which confirmed that the product was defective and hazardous to health.
Based on the FDA's findings, the woman issued a legal notice to Britannia, demanding compensation. When no reply was received, she approached the police and filed a case with the Consumer Commission.
During the hearing, the Commission relied on the FDA’s laboratory test report and other evidence presented by the complainant to conclude that Britannia was liable for selling a contaminated product.
The Consumer Commission ruled in favor of the woman and ordered Britannia to pay ₹1.75 lakh in total compensation — with ₹1.50 lakh awarded to the complainant and ₹25,000 to the shopkeeper. The company has been given 45 days to respond to the ruling.
This judgment not only brings justice to the complainant but also sends a strong message to manufacturers and sellers about the importance of maintaining quality control and food safety standards.