Raid on Amway outlet for selling banned baby food

Admin   |   16 June, 2015   |   727   |   3980

HYDERABAD: In the wake of the controversy over Maggi noodles and cries for action against other such ready-to-eat food items, the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) conducted a raid on the Amway outlet in Somajiguda on Monday for allegedly selling baby food and drinks banned by the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh government.

On June 5, the SCPCR received a complaint from Shyam Sundar, secretary of Corporate Frauds Watch Society, against Amway, for allegedly selling products by issuing misleading advertisements. Almost 18 products banned by the food and safety department authorities were on display at the outlet, alleged SCPCR.

Officials of the SCPCR said that the Supreme Court on December 2010 had cracked down on the company on misbranding charges and selling of unhealthy products. The SCPCR alleged that Amway continued to sell products not good for children flouting the apex court orders. Products such as protein powder, chewable multi-vitamin/mineral tablets, dietary supplements, kids' toothpaste, etc, hazardous to health, were being sold by Amway, the SCPCR officials said.

"Several products banned by the SC are on display. As per SC orders, neither are these allowed to be sold nor put on display in their showroom or godown," said Achyutha Rao, member of SCPCR.

Rao confirmed that legal action would be taken against the company for flouting the SC order. A notice has also been sent to the principal secretary of health Suresh Chanda, he said.

"We have received several complaints based on which we are planning to conduct raids on several upmarket food joints and outlets that are involved in such illegal activities. This is just the beginning," said Rao.

Meanwhile, Amway denies the allegations put forth by the SCPCR.

"Cases referred by the members of SCPCR were filed way back in 2007 in undivided AP and are currently sub-judice in the respective forums. We had no prior notice or intimation about this visit. We are not selling any product for which approval has been denied by FSSAI," said an Amway spokesperson.

This is not the first time that Amway has been in the news for wrong reasons. Last year, the Hyderabad police had arrested Amway India's CEO, S Pinckney, following a consumer complaint against the direct-selling firm. In June 2006, Hyderabad police had shut down all offices of Amway citing illegal business model of the multi-level marketing firm.