Amazon Receives CCPA Notice for ‘Shri Ram Mandir’ Sweets Sale

Amazon, the e-commerce giant, has been issued a notice by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) for allegedly engaging in deceptive trade practices by selling sweets with misleading claims of ‘Sri Ram Mandir Ayodhya Prasad’. The action was initiated based on a complaint by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), who accused Amazon of exploiting the religious sentiments of the people ahead of the consecration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on January 22.

Misleading product claims

The CCPA observed that various sweets or food products were available for sale on Amazon’s platform, claiming to be ‘Shri Ram Mandir Ayodhya Prasad’. The product descriptions read ‘Sri Ram Mandir Ayodhya Prasad – Raghupati Ghee Ladoo, Ayodhya Ram Mandir Ayodhya Prasad, Khoya Khobi Ladoo, Ram Mandir Ayodhya Prasad – Desi Cow Milk Peda,’ among others. The CCPA stated that such practices falsely influence consumers to make purchase decisions they might not have otherwise taken, had the accurate attributes of the product been mentioned.

Violation of consumer protection rules

The CCPA said that Amazon had violated the Consumer Protection (E-commerce) Rules, 2020, which prohibit any e-commerce entity from adopting any unfair trade practice, whether in the course of business on its platform or otherwise. The CCPA also said that Amazon had violated the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, which defines ‘misleading advertisement’ as one which falsely describes such a product or service, or gives a false guarantee to, or is likely to mislead consumers as to the nature, substance, quantity or quality of a product or service.

Amazon’s response

The CCPA has sought a response from Amazon within seven days from the issuance of notice, failing which necessary action would be initiated against them under provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. Amazon, in a statement, said that they are taking “appropriate actions” as per their policies. “We have received a communication from the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) regarding misleading product claims by certain seller(s) and investigating them for violations,” Amazon said.