Question

A product cannot be sold in shops to consumers after its date of expiry.
Fact Situation: Lata, while shopping, notices that the milk packets on the shelves are due for expiry on that day. She objects to this to the shopkeeper, saying that since she was there to buy milk for the next day, keeping the milk on its date of expiry was against the law.
Which of the following statements is the most appropriate in relation to the legal principle stated above?

• A. Lata is right and the shopkeeper should take the milk packets off his shelves.
• B. The shopkeeper should not sell the milk packets after the date of expiry is over.
• C. The shopkeeper must remove the milk packets from the shelves and keep it refrigerated.
• D. Milk is not a product and hence the principle is not applicable in this case.

Hint:

Expiry date means the last legal day of sale; selling \textbf{after} this date violates the law.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the principle
- The legal principle states that once the date of expiry has passed, the product cannot be sold to consumers.
- The purpose is to ensure consumer safety and avoid sale of potentially unsafe goods.
Step 2: Applying the principle to the facts
- The milk packets are due to expire on the same day Lata visits the shop.
- On that day, it is still legal to sell the product; the prohibition applies after the expiry date has passed.
Step 3: Elimination of incorrect options
- Option (1): Incorrect — The law does not require removal on the expiry date itself, only prohibits sale after it.
- Option (3): Incorrect — Refrigeration does not override the expiry restriction.
- Option (4): Incorrect — Milk is clearly a product and falls under the definition in consumer protection and food safety laws.
Step 4: Conclusion
- The shopkeeper can keep selling until the end of the expiry date but must stop after that.
- Therefore, Option (2) is correct.
\[ \boxed{\text{The shopkeeper must stop selling milk after the expiry date is over.}} \]