Important Advisories for Consumers

                                                    National Consumer Helpline
                                              Important Advisories for Consumers





Be Safe and Healthy

• Always wash your hands well with soap before and after food handling.
• Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before consumption.
• Wash all cutting boards and utensils with hot water and soap after preparing each food item and prior to moving on to cook next food item.
• Keep hot food hot and cold food cold.
• Never eat raw eggs.
• Cook food thoroughly & cooked food is not left at room temperature for more than 2 hours. When in doubt, throw it out.
• Avoid artificially coloured food articles.
• Do not purchase / consume rotten or cut fruit and vegetables.
• Do not use printed paper or news paper for wrapping / storing / serving food.
• Consumption of vegetable oil & fat with high Trans Fatty Acids (TFA) / Trans Fats should be avoided.
• Re heating of vegetable oil & fat should be avoided.
• Throw away the outer leaves of leafy vegetables such as cabbage as these may contain pesticides residues.
• Perishable foods like meat, fish, poultry should be kept refrigerated and cook within 2 days after bringing them from market.

Credit Card Tips

• Do not hand over your card to a stranger or even a bank officer.
• Be vigilant while your card is being swiped because its details can be downloaded on computer during the process.
• Do not reveal your card number on unsecured websites.
• Periodically check your accounts.
• When canceling a card, ensure the magnetic strip is destroyed/ damaged.
• Check the credibility of your bank agent.
• Signature is the only proof of card ownership; the shop/mall staff can spot a stolen or cloned card.
• If your card application is rejected, you have the right to ask for the reason thereof from the card company
• in writing. You should also ensure that the documents submitted by you are returned back.
• Cards are not repairable. Beware of Agents who promise to get it repaired and dupe consumers.
• Pay for credit card bills only through account payee cheques in favour of credit card issuer mentioning
• credit card no. Do not pay cash.
• Write your name/address on the backside of cheque.

Insurance 

• Seek complete details before buying any policy.
• Ensure that no hidden costs/terms are involved.
• Do not make payment by cash through an agent.
• Always pay through crossed cheques only, mentioning policy holder’s name, policy no and address on the backside of cheque.
• Go through the policy documents immediately on receipt . I f there is any clause detrimental to your interest, you can return the policy for amendment cancellation within 15 days of its receipt.
• Do not opt for life insurance cover, whose premium, you may not be able to sustain during the term of the policy.
• Get insurance only to the extent you can afford. Surrendering it mid way may cost you dearly.
• Always specify nominees in a life policy.
• Nominees can be changed during the currency of the policy.
• Annual premium is beneficial. It reduces the premium and is payable once in a year only.
• Compare the premium and terms with other companies.

NBFC

• Never pay loan installment in cash through the agent. Pay only through crossed A/c Payee Cheque.
• Do not get enchanted by the advertisement of any newly opened office in your vicinity.
• Beware of fly by night operators.
• Public deposits are unsecured. Before investing, ensure about company’s track record. Investment should be made in established and renowned companies only.
• Beware of investing in a company offering disproportionately higher rate of interest (more than 2% of bank FD rate).
• Before dealing with any NBFC, ensure that the same is registered with Registrar of Companies and licenced with Reserve Bank of India.

packed food

Packed Food 

• Check expiry / use before / best before date, month and year before purchase.
• Non- vegetarian, vegetarian food package should display brown and green symbol respectively.
• List of ingredients to be declared in descending order of ongoing weight /volume.
• The amount of the nutrient for which a health claim is made has to be declared on the label.
• Where Vanaspati Ghee (Hydrogenated Vegetable Fat) is used in preparation of any food, the declaration that it
• contains Trans Fatty Acid (Trans Fat) should be given on the label.
• Packaged water / mineral water must have ISI mark.
• Every packaged food product should have name & address of manufacturer / packer / importer, customer care
• address, phone number, E-mail address (if any).
• Packaged food articles must be properly sealed.
• Canned food articles should be free from leaks, cracks and bulging.

Smart Shopping Tip

• Insist on a cash memo.
• Check out mandatory declarations on packing of packaged products.
• Do not pay more than printed MRP. You can bargain on MRP and pay less.
• No price sticker allowed to increase MRP.
• Be careful about spurious brands available in the market.
• Obtain the Warranty / Guaranty Card where applicable and preserve it till its validity.
• Every packaged product should have name & address of the Manufacturer, Customer Care Details, Address, Phone
• Number, E-mail Address etc.

To seek more details and guidance on consumer problems, Contact :
National Consumer Helpline (Working Days, 09.30 AM- 05.30 PM )
1800-11-4000
(National Toll Free MTNL/BSNL)
011-27662955-58(Normal Call Charges)

Blog post by-

Abhishek Anand

legal freedom "a firm for legal solution"


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