NEW DELHI: A district consumer commission in Haryana has held a juice manufacturer liable for selling unsafe litchi juice after a laboratory test found a black rubber piece floating inside a bottle purchased by a customer.The Rohtak District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission directed Fresca Foods to refund Rs 340 towards the purchase, pay Rs 2,000 in laboratory charges, Rs 15,000 as compensation and Rs 5,000 towards litigation costs, in its order dated October 15, 2026.
Fresca litchi juice black rubber piece dispute
According to the commission order, the complainant, Nishant Sikri, an advocate, purchased 40 bottles of 160 ml Fresca Litchi Drinks from Shree Mahavir Trading Co in Rohtak for Rs 340 on November 15, 2023.The purchase was made on the occasion of Bhaiya Dooj, when relatives had visited his residence. The complainant alleged that while serving the juice to his guests, a family member noticed a black-coloured foreign substance floating inside one of the bottles, embarrassing him in front of his relatives.He alleged that the manufacturer had failed to follow the required standards while manufacturing and packing the drink. He approached the retailer, which apologised and asked him to contact the manufacturer. However, he claimed that the manufacturer’s representatives ignored his complaints.The complainant approached the commission, seeking a refund of Rs 340 with interest, Rs 10 lakh as compensation for mental agony and harassment, and Rs 55,000 towards litigation expenses.Fresca Foods and its managing director failed to appear despite receiving notice and were proceeded against ex parte on July 16, 2024. The retailer, Shree Mahavir Trading Co, argued that it had purchased the bottles from another supplier, Bhatia Sons, in sealed and packed condition and sold them to the complainant without opening them. It denied the allegations and sought dismissal of the complaint.
Commission’s finding on Fresca litchi juice
The bench comprising president Nagender Singh Kadian and members Dr Tripti Pannu and Dr Vijender Singh held the manufacturer liable after a laboratory report established that the bottle contained a foreign substance and was unsafe for consumption.The commission relied on photographs of the bottle and a report from the Food Analyst, Haryana, State Food, Water and Excise Laboratory, Chandigarh.“Sample was having black colour rubber piece whereas it should be free from the same. Hence, the sample is unsafe food,” as per the lab report noted in the order.The commission observed that the laboratory findings established that the bottle sold by the retailer contained a foreign substance and had been declared unsafe food.“From the aforesaid laboratory report, it is established that the Fresca bottle sold by opposite party no.3 contained a foreign substance and was declared to be unsafe food,” the bench said.It noted that the retailer had produced a bill showing that it purchased the batch from Bhatia Sons in Rohtak. However, the supplier had not been made a party to the complaint.The bench held that Fresca Foods, as the manufacturer, was responsible for the quality and safety of its product and was liable to compensate the complainant. It allowed the complaint against the manufacturer.
Final order
The commission, in its October 15, 2026, order, directed Fresca Foods to:
- Refund Rs 340 towards the invoice amount.
- Pay Rs 2,000 towards laboratory charges.
- Pay Rs 15,000 as compensation for mental agony and harassment.
- Pay Rs 5,000 towards litigation costs.
The manufacturer must comply within 30 days of receiving the order. If it fails to do so, it will also have to pay Rs 50 per week to the complainant.The total amount payable under the order is Rs 22,340, excluding the additional weekly amount that may accrue in case of non-compliance.
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