🔥 Trending Parle Fined for Shortweight Biscuits: What You Need to Know

In a significant ruling by the Kannur Consumer Commission in March 2026, Parle Biscuits Private Limited and a retailer, Metro Hypermarket, were ordered to pay ₹50,000 (approximately $600 USD) in compensation to a consumer due to a biscuit packet being underweight ¹²³.

The Incident and Complaint

The case originated when a consumer named Pritesh Aggarwal purchased a packet of Parle-G biscuits that was advertised as 150 grams but was found to contain only 125 grams, a shortage of 25 grams ¹⁴. Aggarwal, feeling aggrieved by this discrepancy, filed a complaint with the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Kannur, Kerala ²³.

Legal Metrology Department's Involvement

During the proceedings, the Legal Metrology Department examined the evidence and formally certified that the biscuit packet's weight was indeed less than what was declared on the packaging ². This official backing strengthened the consumer's complaint.

The Commission's Verdict

The bench, comprising Commission President Ravi Susha and members Molikutty Mathew and K.P. Sajeesh, ruled in favor of the consumer ². They found both Parle Biscuits and the retailer, Metro Hypermarket, liable for the deficiency in service and unfair trade practice ¹². The commission ordered them to jointly pay ₹50,000 in compensation to Pritesh Aggarwal ¹⁴.

Broader Implications

This ruling highlights the importance of consumer rights and the accountability of manufacturers and retailers regarding product weight and packaging claims ⁴⁵. It also reinforces the principle that all entities in the supply chain of goods can be held liable for discrepancies, a stance supported by previous rulings by the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ⁶.

This incident comes at a time when packaged food firms like Parle Biscuits have faced challenges, including soaring raw material costs, which have impacted their profit margins ⁷. However, consumer protection laws remain stringent, ensuring that product specifications are met as advertised.