Consumers to get billions back for oil with wrong expiry date
In Uzbekistan, consumers who purchased sunflower oil under the “Family Choice” brand via the “Uzum” marketplace will receive compensation after it was found that the product's shelf life was incorrectly labeled.
The Committee for the Development of Competition and Consumer Protection investigated oil produced by “Bo‘ston Food” and found that the stated shelf life — 12 months — violated GOST 1129–2013, which permits only 6 months for this type of refined oil.
Additionally, the label lacked the required technical regulation code (O‘zTR No 724). This led to a legal ruling that the producers violated Article 6 of the Consumer Protection Law.
What actions were taken?
A special commission issued two possible resolutions:
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Recollect around 145,000 bottles and refund 1.6 billion soms (approx. $130,000) to consumers, or replace them with quality products;
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If consumers cannot be identified, transfer the full amount to the state budget.
Both “Uzum Market” and “Bo‘ston Food Company” appealed the decision in court, but their claims were rejected and the ruling upheld.
Experts call this a landmark decision in strengthening consumer rights enforcement in Uzbekistan.
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