A health food chain and butchers shop have been fined for non-display of prices.
Natures Way Limited pleaded guilty at Kilkenny District Court yesterday to eight breaches of the Product Prices Regulations 2002 and was fined €6,000, made up of four counts of €500 and €1,000 in respect of each of the other four. Costs of €242 were also awarded.
The Director of Consumer Affairs, Ms Carmel Foley, said the offences occurred in January and March 2004 at the company's premises at Market Cross Shopping Centre Kilkenny, and related to the failure by Natures Way Limited to show the unit price in kg/litre of Finn Crisp Original Rye, organic cornflakes, mineral water and organic cola.
Separately, Mr James Phelan was fined €400 plus €121 costs by Waterford District Court for two counts of failing to display the price of grocery items at Phelans Butchers, 10 Georges Street, Waterford, the director said.
Welcoming the outcome, Ms Foley said she was pleased that both courts had convicted and fined both defendants.
"This would send a clear message to traders that they must comply with the requirements of the Product Prices Regulations or run the risk of being brought before the courts."