With the proximity of Easter and Holy Week, Procon de São Leopoldo warns consumers about the precautions that must be observed when buying items such as chocolate and fish.
With the variety of products on sale, you need to be careful to ensure healthy consumption for your body and pocket. To help consumers make their purchases consciously, Procon de São Leopoldo organized tips that you can see below.
For the consumer who goes shopping, planning and comparing product prices is essential to avoid various abusive practices. Not being in a hurry at the time of purchase also saves you money. For purchases in physical stores, Procon recommends that the ideal is to go on mild days and times, where you can go through all the products, analyzing every detail you find relevant, remembering to always carry out market research. Many establishments have websites so that the consumer can do the research without leaving home.
1 – Research First
With discipline and planning, it is possible to escape over-indebtedness at this time of year. Before you go shopping, check your finances and priorities. Do price research; don’t leave to buy at the last minute. Consider handcrafted products as an option, which are a good choice for consumers looking for healthy, gluten, lactose, preservatives and even organic products. In addition, it is a way to move the local economy. Also, making your own Easter egg can be a fun time, especially if you have kids in the family, as well as being economical.
2 – Chocolate or a Cocoa product?
By technical regulation, to be considered chocolate the product must be produced with at least 25% cocoa. White chocolate is produced from cocoa butter, and must have at least 20% of the raw material to be considered as such. (Source: RDC Resolution No. 264 of September 22, 2005). It is also important to ensure the quality of the chocolate and check the expiry date. All consumers have the right to adequate and secure information about the products they are purchasing. Therefore, consult the chocolate label to find out the fat content (total, trans and saturated), percentage of sugar, salt, calories and others. Chocolates classified as bittersweet or semisweet must have between 50% and 70% cocoa in their composition. Consumers with some type of food restriction – milk and gluten, for example – should be extra careful when purchasing.
3 – Eggs, Bars or Bonbons?
With countless possibilities in stores, making choices is a challenge. Check and compare the weight of each item. Then do the math to find out what pays off the most.
4 – Price Verification and Payment Methods
The labels can be affixed directly to the products, showcases and shelves, so you need to check them carefully! If there is a discrepancy between the price verified at the product’s exhibition site and the one informed at the checkout, the lowest price will prevail. Payment methods must be duly informed, including cash and term amounts, interest rates and total amount. If in doubt, consult the optical reading terminals or ask the attendant for help.
5 – Product Exchanges
The Consumer Defense Code states that it is mandatory to exchange products with factory defects. However, exchanges motivated by personal tastes must be arranged directly with the supplier, so consult the establishment’s exchange policies. Keep your invoice or tax coupon, as it is essential at the time of exchange.
6 – Online shopping
Always check the informed conditions (price, shipping cost, delivery time, quantity, weight, nutritional table) before making the purchase. Remember that in purchases made over the internet, the consumer can exercise the “right of repentance”, which is to return the product, free of charge, up to seven days from the date of receipt.
7 – Changes in the weight of the Products
The strategy of reducing the weight of products has been a recurring practice in industries in the consumer market. The Ministry of Justice, through Ordinance 81/2002, determines that suppliers clearly inform changes in weight or quantity on the package, and the previous and current weight must be included so that the consumer can make the decision to buy or not. Therefore, compare weight and prices practiced by different brands.
8 – Advertising Strategies
The advertisements are eye-popping, especially for children, so beware! Avoid exposing children to advertising, whether in stores or on the internet. Many advertisements are aimed directly at children and not at parents, who have the purchasing power. But if you still opt for eggs with toys, check if the product contains a seal INMETRO and whether they correspond to the age range of the child.
Check the ads: The information provided in brochures or in any advertising material must be checked at the time of purchase, as the supplier must always comply with the advertised offers.
9 – Attention with Packaging:
As for the product packaging, it must be sealed, intact, without holes or dents, as it protects the product from insects and contamination.
Check the label: It is important that consumers check the mandatory information on the product label: expiry date, name and address of the manufacturer, nutritional information, etc.
Origin: Read the label when buying packaged fish: When sold packaged, the sales name, expiration date, country of origin, expiration date, federal inspection seal (SIF) and other mandatory information must be displayed on the label. In the case of imported products, the information must be in Portuguese.
Observe the conservation of fish: It is important that the consumer, at the time of purchase, pay attention to the type of preservation of the products, which must be stored in a clean place, protected from dust and insects. It is important that the consumer checks for the presence of mold, eggs or fly larvae, dark or reddish spots, surface slime, softening and unpleasant odor, which indicate that the product is not suitable for consumption.
Fresh fish should have firm flesh, prominent, shiny eyes, and scales that don’t come off easily. If the products show softening or accumulation of liquids, it is a sign that they have gone through a thawing process. The presence of ice or a lot of water indicates that the counter was turned off or had its temperature temporarily reduced, which could compromise the quality of the product, causing it to deteriorate. In these cases, it is essential that the consumer report the fact to Procon, as well as to the Sanitary Surveillance so that the necessary measures can be taken.
If you are going to buy fresh fish at fairs or markets, the consumer must accompany the weighing of the product, which must be done in front of you.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: Demand the invoice to ensure your rights as a consumer.
If there are irregularities, the consumer can call (51) 2200-0355 or send a message to WhatsApp (51) 99768-1252.
Text and search: Patrícia Ferreira- Procon-SL inspector
Revision: Vanessa Bueno – Journalist /Scom/ PMSL
With the proximity of Easter and Holy Week, Procon de São Leopoldo warns consumers about the precautions that must be observed when buying items such as chocolate and fish.
With the variety of products on sale, you need to be careful to ensure healthy consumption for your body and pocket. To help consumers make their purchases consciously, Procon de São Leopoldo organized tips that you can see below.
For the consumer who goes shopping, planning and comparing product prices is essential to avoid various abusive practices. Not being in a hurry at the time of purchase also saves you money. For purchases in physical stores, Procon recommends that the ideal is to go on mild days and times, where you can go through all the products, analyzing every detail you find relevant, remembering to always carry out market research. Many establishments have websites so that the consumer can do the research without leaving home.
1 – Research First
With discipline and planning, it is possible to escape over-indebtedness at this time of year. Before you go shopping, check your finances and priorities. Do price research; don’t leave to buy at the last minute. Consider handcrafted products as an option, which are a good choice for consumers looking for healthy, gluten, lactose, preservatives and even organic products. In addition, it is a way to move the local economy. Also, making your own Easter egg can be a fun time, especially if you have kids in the family, as well as being economical.
2 – Chocolate or a Cocoa product?
By technical regulation, to be considered chocolate the product must be produced with at least 25% cocoa. White chocolate is produced from cocoa butter, and must have at least 20% of the raw material to be considered as such. (Source: RDC Resolution No. 264 of September 22, 2005). It is also important to ensure the quality of the chocolate and check the expiry date. All consumers have the right to adequate and secure information about the products they are purchasing. Therefore, consult the chocolate label to find out the fat content (total, trans and saturated), percentage of sugar, salt, calories and others. Chocolates classified as bittersweet or semisweet must have between 50% and 70% cocoa in their composition. Consumers with some type of food restriction – milk and gluten, for example – should be extra careful when purchasing.
3 – Eggs, Bars or Bonbons?
With countless possibilities in stores, making choices is a challenge. Check and compare the weight of each item. Then do the math to find out what pays off the most.
4 – Price Verification and Payment Methods
The labels can be affixed directly to the products, showcases and shelves, so you need to check them carefully! If there is a discrepancy between the price verified at the product’s exhibition site and the one informed at the checkout, the lowest price will prevail. Payment methods must be duly informed, including cash and term amounts, interest rates and total amount. If in doubt, consult the optical reading terminals or ask the attendant for help.
5 – Product Exchanges
The Consumer Defense Code states that it is mandatory to exchange products with factory defects. However, exchanges motivated by personal tastes must be arranged directly with the supplier, so consult the establishment’s exchange policies. Keep your invoice or tax coupon, as it is essential at the time of exchange.
6 – Online shopping
Always check the informed conditions (price, shipping cost, delivery time, quantity, weight, nutritional table) before making the purchase. Remember that in purchases made over the internet, the consumer can exercise the “right of repentance”, which is to return the product, free of charge, up to seven days from the date of receipt.
7 – Changes in the weight of the Products
The strategy of reducing the weight of products has been a recurring practice in industries in the consumer market. The Ministry of Justice, through Ordinance 81/2002, determines that suppliers clearly inform changes in weight or quantity on the package, and the previous and current weight must be included so that the consumer can make the decision to buy or not. Therefore, compare weight and prices practiced by different brands.
8 – Advertising Strategies
The advertisements are eye-popping, especially for children, so beware! Avoid exposing children to advertising, whether in stores or on the internet. Many advertisements are aimed directly at children and not at parents, who have the purchasing power. But if you still opt for eggs with toys, check if the product contains a seal INMETRO and whether they correspond to the age range of the child.
Check the ads: The information provided in brochures or in any advertising material must be checked at the time of purchase, as the supplier must always comply with the advertised offers.
9 – Attention with Packaging:
As for the product packaging, it must be sealed, intact, without holes or dents, as it protects the product from insects and contamination.
Check the label: It is important that consumers check the mandatory information on the product label: expiry date, name and address of the manufacturer, nutritional information, etc.
Origin: Read the label when buying packaged fish: When sold packaged, the sales name, expiration date, country of origin, expiration date, federal inspection seal (SIF) and other mandatory information must be displayed on the label. In the case of imported products, the information must be in Portuguese.
Observe the conservation of fish: It is important that the consumer, at the time of purchase, pay attention to the type of preservation of the products, which must be stored in a clean place, protected from dust and insects. It is important that the consumer checks for the presence of mold, eggs or fly larvae, dark or reddish spots, surface slime, softening and unpleasant odor, which indicate that the product is not suitable for consumption.
Fresh fish should have firm flesh, prominent, shiny eyes, and scales that don’t come off easily. If the products show softening or accumulation of liquids, it is a sign that they have gone through a thawing process. The presence of ice or a lot of water indicates that the counter was turned off or had its temperature temporarily reduced, which could compromise the quality of the product, causing it to deteriorate. In these cases, it is essential that the consumer report the fact to Procon, as well as to the Sanitary Surveillance so that the necessary measures can be taken.
If you are going to buy fresh fish at fairs or markets, the consumer must accompany the weighing of the product, which must be done in front of you.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: Demand the invoice to ensure your rights as a consumer.
If there are irregularities, the consumer can call (51) 2200-0355 or send a message to WhatsApp (51) 99768-1252.
Text and search: Patrícia Ferreira- Procon-SL inspector
Revision: Vanessa Bueno – Journalist /Scom/ PMSL
