The complainant claimed that consuming the contaminated juice broke his religious fast and caused him emotional and spiritual distress. (Image generated using AI)A consumer commission in Himachal Pradesh has directed Dabur India Ltd. to pay Rs 70,000 to a ‘devout Hindu’ man who allegedly found fungus inside a one-litre pack of Real Fruit Power Mosambi juice while observing a religious fast during the month of Savan.President Hemanshu Mishra and members Arti Sood and Narayan Thakur observed that the shock of drinking mold, combined with the realisation that his religious fast was broken by unclean fluids, caused him severe emotional, spiritual, and psychological pain, on top of the obvious risks to his physical health.“The company must be held fully accountable for placing a dangerous, contaminated food product on store shelves, risking public health and causing severe emotional distress to the consumer,” the order dated July 9 read.The commission further directed the company to pay Rs 30,000 to the Kangra District Consumer Welfare Fund.‘Black fungus’The complainant stated that he had purchased a 1-litre pack of “Real Fruit Power Mosambi” juice from a shop on 26 July 2024. It was said that the product was manufactured by Dabur India in May 2024, with an indicated expiry date of November 2024.While consuming it during his Savan fast to stay hydrated, he noticed an unusual taste and, on examining the tetra pack, allegedly found a large quantity of black fungus inside. He claimed that consuming the contaminated juice broke his religious fast and caused him emotional and spiritual distress. The complainant alleged that Dabur offered only a replacement bottle, following which he approached the consumer commission.Dabur denied any manufacturing defect and stated that internal control samples from the same batch met all quality and safety standards and that over 1.08 lakh units from the batch had been sold without any similar complaints. It further said that the complainant had failed to submit the product for laboratory testing as required.Story continues below this adRelief to customerThe commission noted that the complainant had produced the original sealed tetra pack before it at the time of filing the complaint and that, under its supervision, the sample was sent to a laboratory for scientific analysis. The laboratory reported the presence of suspended filthy lumps of mould-like growth and concluded that the beverage was unsafe for human consumption.Rejecting Dabur’s reliance on its internal control samples, the commission held that laboratory testing of the actual product purchased by the consumer outweighed the manufacturer’s internal reports.“The presence of filthy lumps of mould-like growth directly contradicts the express “Green Dot” representation on the packaging, which amounts to a misleading representation and an unfair trade practice under Section 2(47) of the Act. This breach of statutory assurance inherently causes deep emotional, religious, and cultural distress to a practicing vegetarian family, which does not require proof of actual physical illness to warrant compensation,” the commission said.It held that the retailer had sold the product in its original, sealed tetra pack and the mold grew inside an airtight, factory-sealed container, therefore observed that it was an internal manufacturing and packaging defect.Story continues below this adAllowing the complaint, the commission directed the company to pay Rs 60,000 as compensation and Rs 10,000 as litigation expenses. It directed compliance within 45 days. Ashish Shaji is a Senior Sub-Editor at The Indian Express, where he specializes in legal journalism. Combining a formal education in law with years of editorial experience, Ashish provides authoritative coverage and nuanced analysis of court developments and landmark judicial decisions for a national audience. Expertise Legal Core Competency: Ashish is a law graduate (BA LLB) from IME Law College, CCSU. This academic foundation allows him to move beyond surface-level reporting, offering readers a deep-dive into the technicalities of statutes, case law, and legal precedents. Specialized Legal Reporting: His work at The Indian Express focuses on translating the often-dense proceedings of India's top courts into clear, actionable news. His expertise includes: Judicial Analysis: Breaking down complex orders from the Supreme Court and various High Courts. Legal Developments: Monitoring legislative changes and their practical implications for the public and the legal fraternity. Industry Experience: With over 5 years in the field, Ashish has contributed to several niche legal and professional platforms, honing his ability to communicate complex information. His previous experience includes: Lawsikho: Gaining insights into legal education and practical law. 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