Ministry of Economy to finalise removal of 300ml cans of Pepsi and Coca-Cola from UAE markets

Abu Dhabi, Feb 22, 2012 (WAM) - The consumer protection department at the Ministry of Economy has stated that the process of removal of the 300ml cans of Coca-Cola and Pepsi from UAE markets will take one month, due to the violation of these companies to the resolution of the Supreme Committee for Consumer Protection and the consumer protection law. The consumer protection department at the Ministry of Economy has stated that Coca-Cola and Pepsi have one month to remove all 300ml cans from UAE markets, due to the violation by these companies of the resolution of the Supreme Committee for Consumer Protection and the Consumer Protection Law. Dr Hashim Al Nuaimi, the head of the consumer protection department, said the Ministry will remove 300ml cans of Coca-Cola and Pepsi because both companies were selling these products without putting the price nor the Arabic labelling of the ingredients of the products, in clear violation of Article (8) of the Consumer Protection Law. Al Nuaimi said that the consumer protection team along with concerned teams from local departments started the removal process of the 300ml cans. He also clarified that this kind of cans are not allowed in all retail outlets, nor in restaurants and hotels. He said that the ministry held meetings with representatives from Coca- Cola and there will be a meeting with Pepsi very soon to agree on the withdrawal process. "For the moment, and until we obtain a clearer picture from our meetings with both companies, there will be no penalties, and will be satisfied with the withdrawal of the products," Al Nuaimi added. He also said that the Ministry will from now warn retail outlets who continue selling the 300ml cans, and emphasised that they would face serious penalties if they persist in selling the cans. The Ministry of Economy has received during the past days several complaints about the price of the 300ml cans of Pepsi and Coca-Cola, which are being sold for 1.5 AED, which is the mandated price for 330ml Pepsi cans and 355ml Coca- Cola cans. Al Nuaimi said the Ministry will remove 300ml cans of Coca-Cola and Pepsi because both companies were selling these products without putting the price and the Arabic libelling of the ingredients of the products, which is a clear violation for the article (8) of the consumer protection law. He added that the consumer protection team along with concerned teams from local departments started the removal process of the 300 ml cans. He also clarified that this kind of cans are also not allowed in all retrial outlets and even in restaurants and hotels. Al Nuaimi stated that the ministry held meetings with representatives from Coca- Cola and there will be a meeting with Pepsi very soon to agree on the withdrawal process. "There will be no penalties in the current time till we have clearer picture from both companies after meeting them, we will currently be stratified by the withdrawal if the products," he added. He also said that the Ministry will now only warn retail outlets who were selling the reduced size cans which are 300ml without putting the price and will issue serious procedures and penalties if this action is being repeated. The Ministry of Economy received during the past days several complaints about the price of the 300ml cans of Pepsi and Coca - Cola which were sold by 1.5 AED while this price is worth for the 330ml Pepsi cans and the 355 of Coca- Cola cans. - Emirates News Agency, WAM