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The Committee for the Development of Competition and Consumer Protection of Uzbekistan has revealed troubling news: numerous violations have been identified in more than 500 food service establishments across the country. These include restaurants, cafes, canteens, and buffets where consumers have faced serious service issues, ranging from breaches of sanitary and hygiene standards to inflated prices and the absence of menus in the state language.
What Violations Were Found?
Among the most common violations was the failure to comply with sanitary and hygiene regulations, which, considering the nature of the food service industry, poses a direct threat to public health. In some establishments, food was prepared in unsanitary conditions, and the storage and transportation of prepared dishes did not meet safety standards. Customers frequently complained about poor food delivery practices and improper storage conditions.
Another issue was inflated prices. Many establishments abused customers’ trust by offering meals at excessively high prices, leading to dissatisfaction and justified criticism from consumers. Additionally, in 75% of cases, menus were not provided in the state language, which is a serious violation of the law.
Shocking Statistics
Based on inspections conducted in collaboration with the Federation of Consumer Rights Protection Societies, the following violations were found in 700 food service establishments:
- In 75% of establishments, menus were not provided in the state language.
- In 69%, the operating hours were not indicated.
- In 65%, there were no price lists, making it difficult for customers to navigate the pricing of dishes.
- In 62% of cases, there were no parking spaces for visitors.
- In 74.6% of establishments, there were no emergency exits, posing a significant risk in case of emergencies.
Following the inspections, information about the identified violations was submitted to the relevant authorities, including the Committee for Sanitary and Epidemiological Welfare and Public Health and the Agency for Technical Regulation of Uzbekistan. These authorities are responsible for ensuring that all deficiencies are addressed.
A Wake-Up Call for Consumers
These figures are a worrying signal for all consumers. The problems discovered in such a large number of establishments highlight the urgent need for stricter oversight of the food service industry. It is essential for every citizen to know their rights and demand quality service, whether in a restaurant or a canteen.
The Competition Committee reminds consumers that if they encounter violations in food service establishments, they can contact the hotline (1159) to protect their rights.
This incident raises questions not only about the state of the food service sector but also about the importance of establishments being held accountable to their customers. Consumers should have access to quality and safe services, and violators must face consequences to prevent such situations from recurring.
The article may contain inaccuracies as it is translated by AI. For more details, please refer to the Russian version of the article. If you notice any inaccuracies, you can send corrections via the Telegram bot: Uzvaibik_bot.
