Consumer Affairs Secretary Highlights Urgent Need to Combat Counterfeit Goods in India

Original: Counterfeit goods, expiry tampering a 'very huge problem', says Consumer Affairs Secretary

The Economic Times•Apr 8, 20264 min

In a Nutshell

Nidhi Khare, Secretary of Consumer Affairs in India, emphasized the growing issue of counterfeit goods and tampering with expiry dates at the FICCI CASCADE Seminar in New Delhi. She reported over 1.21 crore counterfeit listings on a major e-commerce platform, urging consumers to stay vigilant and report suspicious products.

Key Points

01Counterfeit goods and expiry date tampering are escalating issues in India.
02Over 1.21 crore counterfeit product listings identified on one e-commerce platform.
03Consumers must be vigilant and report counterfeit products through the National Consumer Helpline.
04The government is implementing guidelines to combat deceptive practices in e-commerce.
05Regular monitoring of food commodities ensures safety and stable prices.

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Full Summary

Nidhi Khare, Secretary of Consumer Affairs, addressed the pressing challenge of counterfeit goods and expiry date tampering during the FICCI CASCADE Seminar in New Delhi. She revealed that from August 2022 to June 2025, a major e-commerce platform identified 1.21 crore counterfeit product listings. Despite efforts to remove 69 lakh listings between April 2023 and September 2024, and 12 lakh listings from September 2024 to May 2025, counterfeit products continue to circulate. Khare noted that these goods often mimic genuine products, making them difficult for consumers to identify. She urged consumers to be cautious of misleading pricing tactics and to verify product authenticity. Khare also highlighted the government's initiatives, including the National Consumer Helpline, which operates 24/7 in 17 languages, to assist consumers in reporting counterfeit goods. Additionally, she mentioned ongoing reforms in e-commerce to eliminate deceptive practices and emphasized the government's commitment to monitoring food safety across 570 price monitoring centers nationwide.

Key Figures

1.21 crore

Counterfeit product listings identified on one e-commerce platform

69 lakh

Counterfeit listings removed between April 2023 and September 2024

12 lakh

Counterfeit listings removed between September 2024 and May 2025

570

Price monitoring centers across India

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Why It Matters

The rise of counterfeit goods can lead to consumer health risks and financial losses, as consumers may unknowingly purchase fake or expired products. Awareness and reporting can help mitigate these risks.

Who is affected

Consumers purchasing goods online and in markets.

What to know

Consumers should verify product authenticity and report suspicious items to the National Consumer Helpline.

FAQ

The government is implementing guidelines for e-commerce, encouraging self-audits among major platforms, and operating the National Consumer Helpline for reporting counterfeit products.

Consumers are advised to check product quality, avoid misleading discounts, and report any suspicions through official channels.

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