UAE consumer Q&As: A readers asks about covered food labels

Another wonders about the price for Coke, Pepsi and other soft drinks.

Q: Some hotels require customers to order something worth Dh35 to have their Dh50 valet ticket validated, but many do not mention that upon arrival and don’t allow customers to purchase anything when getting the ticket validated, so they end up paying Dh50 and basically getting nothing in return.

A: All offers should be honoured as advertised. A misleading offer designed to attract the consumer in a deceitful way is an illusory promise. Illusory promises are void in law and must be reported to the consumer department so that authorities can take legal action against the seller or supplier. Therefore, an otherwise valid offer to reimburse a valet ticket may be considered illusory because it is designed to deceive the consumer. In accordance with Article 1 of Law No 1979, illusory promises or offers can be upheld against a seller or supplier. It may entail a prison sentence not exceeding three years or a fine. In some cases, courts may render both punishments.

Q:

Why is it that every shop you go to across Dubai, prices for a two-litre bottle of Coca-Cola, Pepsi and several other soft drinks are fixed at Dh5? Does this mean that supermarkets are colluding to fix prices or that certain prices are fixed by government authorities?

A: Prices are set by suppliers and sellers. A distributor of products may control pricing across a region, but that does not mean a distributor or a seller is in breach of the law as long as all prices are clearly stated to consumers. A cause of action may arise if there is any breach or misconduct pursuant to Law No 24 of 2006.

Q:

Why are the ingredient labels in English on most products covered by an Arabic sticker – that cannot be removed – listing the ingredients

? I have complained to grocery shops, but they say it comes from the agents like that and they cannot do anything about it. Surely everyone should be able to read the ingredients? 

A: In accordance with Article 7 of Law No 24 of 2006, all sellers and suppliers are required to disclose the ingredients, type, nature, composition, product name, weight, expiry date and other related details on their packaging. Sellers or suppliers should not attempt to conceal such descriptions by fixing a sticker. Manufacturers of those products may decide to put descriptions in English and Arabic, but the law requires them to disclose it in Arabic.

If you have a question for Mr Elhais, email [e-mail] with the subject line ‘Consumer Q&A’.