The UAE said on Tuesday it has started to remove 300ml cans of Coca-Cola and Pepsi from shops across the country due to consumer protection violations.
The consumer protection department at the Ministry of Economy said the removal would take a month to complete, state news agency WAM reported.
It added that the US-based soft drinks giants were in violation of a resolution of the Supreme Committee for Consumer Protection and the Consumer Protection Law.
Dr Hashim Al Nuaimi, the head of the consumer protection department, said the products were being sold without putting the price or Arabic labelling of the ingredients on the cans.
Al Nuaimi said that the consumer protection team had started the removal process, adding that the 300ml cans were banned from all retail outlets, restaurants and hotels.
He said that the ministry has held meetings with representatives from Coca-Cola, with another meeting with Pepsi planned “very soon” to agree on the withdrawal process.
“For the moment, and until we obtain a clearer picture from our meetings with both companies, there will be no penalties, and will be satisfied with the withdrawal of the products,” Al Nuaimi added.
He also said that retail outlets who continue to sell the 300ml cans “would face serious penalties”.
The Ministry of Economy told reporters on Sunday the two companies had reduced the size of their AED1.5 cans from 355ml to 300ml without permission and had also removed the price tag.
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