Competition Committee Orders Uzum Market and Bo’ston Food to Compensate for Sunflower Oil with Expired Shelf Life

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  The Competition Committee has ordered Uzum Market and the sunflower oil producer Bo’ston Food Company to compensate for damages caused by the sale of substandard products, the agency’s press service reported.

The oversight body received a request to inspect Oila Tanlovi — the marketplace’s private label — for compliance with technical regulations. The inspection revealed shelf life violations: although GOST 1129–2013 allows refined oil to be stored for up to six months, the producer indicated 12 months. Additionally, the label did not specify the applicable technical regulation (UzTR №724).

A special commission of the Committee found both companies guilty of violating Article 6 of the Law on Consumer Rights Protection, which requires providing “necessary, reliable, and accessible information” about products and services, including manufacturing date and expiration date.

The Committee recommended that the companies rectify the violations by one of two methods:

Return approximately 145,000 bottles of Oila Tanlovi oil with incorrect shelf life and compensate or exchange them for compliant products.

Refund 1.6 billion UZS from sales of non-compliant oil to consumers, or pay the amount to the state budget if buyers cannot be identified.

Uzum Market and Bo’ston Food Company attempted to appeal the order in court, but the claims were rejected, leaving the Committee’s decision unchanged.