The Hindu : New Delhi News : Fake products destroyed

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 16, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

Fake products destroyed

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, MARCH 15. It was a fight against fake "rakshas" here today. Joining hands with the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, the FICCI Brand Protection Committee destroyed over 700 kg of fake products and packaging material to spread awareness about counterfeits products on World Consumer Rights Day.

From fake Sunsilk shampoo sachets to Dabur Amla Hair Oil and even Iodex rubs -- counterfeit products were rolled flat with a road-roller to make strong statement against counterfeiting that costs the consumer goods industry Rs, 2,500 crores annually. The Government loses Rs. 900 crores in unpaid excise duties, sales tax, octroi duties. According to studies by leading market research organisation ACNielsen-ORG Marg, eight out of ten consumers who purchased fake products felt cheated and only knew after the purchase that the product was "fake".

"Look-alike manufacturers using similar packaging, colours and get-up to confuse the consumers and dupe them into thinking that the product he is purchasing is actually a genuine product and well known proven brand. In other cases the products are out and out counterfeits -- nearly identical to the original brands -- till of course the consumer uses the product and in most cases realises that the product he bought was a fake. We already have support from the Law Ministry and now that the Consumer Affairs Ministry is also interested in fighting this problem, we intend working closely with its officials to wipe out this problem,'' stated the Vice President (Legal), Hindustan Levers, Ashok Gupta.

Over the past two years, the FICCI Brand Protection Committee has raids together consumer goods and uncovered crores worth of counterfeit products.

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