Pro Consumidor has destroyed 7 million products unfit for consumption

Santo Domingo.- The National Institute for the Protection of Consumer Rights (Pro Consumidor) said it has destroyed seven million products unfit for consumption since Eddy Alcántara became the agency’s executive director in March 2021.

According to Alcántara, the products were seized during inspections across several provinces after authorities found they failed to meet required standards for quality, safety, hygiene, or health registration.

The inspections covered supermarkets, grocery stores, warehouses, markets, restaurants, and informal businesses in Greater Santo Domingo, Santiago, San Cristóbal, La Altagracia, Puerto Plata, La Vega, San Pedro de Macorís and other areas.

Among the violations detected were expired or spoiled food, damaged cans, unlabeled products, pest infestations, and adulterated or counterfeit goods. Items removed and destroyed included rice, beans, pasta, canned foods, flour, dairy products, juices, sauces, diapers, condoms, sanitary products, alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and other consumer goods.

Alcántara said Pro Consumidor’s work also targets illicit trade, including the sale of counterfeit, adulterated and illegally sourced products.

He cited joint operations carried out in July and September with the Public Ministry and other regulatory agencies, which resulted in the seizure of nearly 20 tons of expired and adulterated food from clandestine warehouses in San Cristóbal.

Pro Consumidor said its inspection teams maintain permanent operations based both on institutional monitoring and consumer complaints. Alcántara said the agency will continue conducting inspections nationwide and destroying products that violate legal requirements.

The official urged consumers to check expiration dates, packaging conditions and product labels before making purchases and to report irregularities through Pro Consumidor’s official channels.