The Consumer Protection Act of 2008: Relevance to the snack food industry

The Consumer Protection Act, which was signed into law on 24 April 2009, and portions of which came into effect on 24 April 2010 and the balance of which were expected to come into effect on 24 October 2010, has implications for the various parties in the snack food supply chain including importers, manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers.

By Janusz Luterek, Pr.Eng

12 Nov 2010

In his presentation to the Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals (SOCAP) conference, held this week in Cape Town, Janusz Luterek, Pr. Eng focused on the applicability of the Act, the anti-discrimination provisions, the rights of consumers to inspect goods and to expect timeous and correct delivery of goods, the use of plain language in all documents and the requirements for trade descriptions.

In addition, Luterek dealt with the provisions against misrepresentation, deception, and exploitation of vulnerable consumers, the right of consumers to contractual provisions which are just, fair, and reasonable, the right of consumers to prices which are just, fair and reasonable, the liability for damage caused by goods, and warrantees and product returns.

In plain language, Luterek provides insights into the Act and its effects.

Janusz Luterek's PowerPoint presentation to SOCAP.

Relevance of the Consumer Protection Act of 2008 to the Snack Food Industry

About Janusz Luterek, Pr.Eng

Janusz Luterek, Pr.Eng, an engineer with experience in the food and dairy industry, having been involved in various food projects as an engineer at APV, is now an attorney specialising in the Consumer Protection Act (from the supplier's perspective), product liability, food labelling, and food related regulatory matters. Luterek is a partner at Hahn & Hahn attorneys of Pretoria and may be contacted on az.oc.walnhah@zsunaj or +27 (0) 12 342 0563 for further specific advice on this topic.