ReutersA routine grocery run turned into a costly lesson for a retail giant after an Andhra Pradesh consumer commission pulled up Vishal Mega Mart for selling an expired packet of Maggi Atta Instant Noodles, which allegedly caused food poisoning to a customer.
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Andhra Pradesh, in its July 10 order, called the sale of expired food a "grave violation of consumer rights" and imposed a total penalty of Rs 2.8 lakh.
As reported by the Times of India, the case dates back to March 20, 2025, when P. Sravan Kumar, a resident of Yemmiganur in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool district, purchased two packets of Maggi Atta Instant Noodles from a Vishal Mega Mart outlet.
After eating the noodles that night, Kumar reportedly developed fever, vomiting and severe stomach pain. A nearby hospital diagnosed him with food poisoning.
When he later checked the second packet, he discovered that the noodles had expired on March 18, 2025 — two days before they were sold to him.
Kumar later sent a legal notice to the retailer seeking compensation. When he received no response, he moved the consumer commission demanding Rs 5 lakh in compensation and punitive damages.
Despite receiving notices, Vishal Mega Mart reportedly did not appear before the commission or file any reply.
The bench observed that the complainant's evidence — including the expired packet, purchase receipt, payment record, medical prescription and proof of legal notice — remained completely unchallenged.
The commission ruled that selling expired food amounted to gross negligence and a clear deficiency in service.
In a strongly worded order, the commission said the incident could not be viewed as an isolated mistake.
It observed that selling expired products raises concerns that similar defective or expired items may have been sold to unsuspecting consumers, posing a serious threat to public health.
The commission also held that the retailer had unfairly profited by selling expired goods and directed that the punitive amount should benefit the public.
The commission partly allowed the complaint and directed Vishal Mega Mart to:
Pay Rs 25,000 to the complainant for mental agony.
Pay Rs 5,000 towards litigation expenses.
Deposit Rs 2.5 lakh into the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister's Relief Fund as punitive damages.
The retailer has been given 45 days to comply with the order, failing which the entire amount will attract 9% annual interest until payment is made.
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The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Andhra Pradesh, in its July 10 order, called the sale of expired food a "grave violation of consumer rights" and imposed a total penalty of Rs 2.8 lakh.
As reported by the Times of India, the case dates back to March 20, 2025, when P. Sravan Kumar, a resident of Yemmiganur in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool district, purchased two packets of Maggi Atta Instant Noodles from a Vishal Mega Mart outlet.
After eating the noodles that night, Kumar reportedly developed fever, vomiting and severe stomach pain. A nearby hospital diagnosed him with food poisoning.
When he later checked the second packet, he discovered that the noodles had expired on March 18, 2025 — two days before they were sold to him.
Kumar later sent a legal notice to the retailer seeking compensation. When he received no response, he moved the consumer commission demanding Rs 5 lakh in compensation and punitive damages.
Despite receiving notices, Vishal Mega Mart reportedly did not appear before the commission or file any reply.
The bench observed that the complainant's evidence — including the expired packet, purchase receipt, payment record, medical prescription and proof of legal notice — remained completely unchallenged.
The commission ruled that selling expired food amounted to gross negligence and a clear deficiency in service.
In a strongly worded order, the commission said the incident could not be viewed as an isolated mistake.
It observed that selling expired products raises concerns that similar defective or expired items may have been sold to unsuspecting consumers, posing a serious threat to public health.
The commission also held that the retailer had unfairly profited by selling expired goods and directed that the punitive amount should benefit the public.
The commission partly allowed the complaint and directed Vishal Mega Mart to:
Pay Rs 25,000 to the complainant for mental agony.
Pay Rs 5,000 towards litigation expenses.
Deposit Rs 2.5 lakh into the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister's Relief Fund as punitive damages.
The retailer has been given 45 days to comply with the order, failing which the entire amount will attract 9% annual interest until payment is made.
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