Consumer Protection Agency Launches Crackdown on Price Manipulation in Damietta
The Consumer Protection Agency has undertaken extensive surprise inspections across various markets and food outlets in Damietta Governorate to monitor market conditions and ensure product availability. This initiative aims to combat any attempts at price manipulation or exploitation of consumers amid current regional and economic changes.
This action aligns with directives from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and the Prime Minister’s orders to strengthen field oversight on markets, enhance continuous monitoring of price movements, and ensure product availability. It emphasizes the importance of coordination with local governors and relevant regulatory bodies to ensure effective field presence and establish decentralized oversight for rapid response and improved regulatory performance across governorates.
The surprise inspections led to the identification of numerous violations affecting consumer rights directly. A total of 33 cases were recorded, including price manipulation and the sale of expired food products, prompting legal action against the offenders who have been referred to the competent public prosecution.
Among the violations noted were failure to display prices, selling above announced prices, and advertising misleading discounts. Additionally, untraceable food products without accompanying documentation were seized as part of efforts to tighten market regulation and combat all forms of commercial fraud to protect consumer rights.
During the operation, inspectors uncovered a significant case of price manipulation within a retail chain, where prices displayed on shelves were lower than those charged at checkout points. This deceptive practice violates consumer protection laws, with severe penalties that could reach up to two million Egyptian pounds.
Furthermore, inspectors identified a serious violation involving tampering with expiration dates on food products by reprinting or altering them to reflect new dates on expired goods. This poses a direct threat to public health and safety, necessitating decisive legal action against those responsible.
Ibrahim El-Segini, head of the Consumer Protection Agency, stated that immediate legal measures have been taken regarding these incidents. Offenders have been referred to the relevant public prosecution for further action. He emphasized that any attempts to achieve unlawful profits at the expense of citizens’ health or market stability will be met with strict measures. The state will not allow safe havens for such illicit practices amid clear directives for full market discipline and protection of citizens’ rights.
El-Segini highlighted that regulating markets and enhancing field oversight are top priorities for the agency currently, given their direct impact on economic security for citizens and stability within the Egyptian market. He reaffirmed that the Consumer Protection Agency will diligently carry out its regulatory duties without leniency, restoring full order in markets while decisively addressing any attempts that harm consumers or undermine fair competition rules. Inspections will continue across all governorates with strict legal actions against violators being taken promptly.
Comments