The Bandarawela Magistrate’s Court yesterday (June 10) imposed a fine on a popular coffee shop chain over violating consumer protection laws, after the company pleaded guilty.Barista Coffee Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, operating as Barista Express in Bandarawela, pleaded guilty to four offenses before court.

The charges were filed after a raid conducted by officers of the Badulla District Office of the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA).

Charges included selling cakes without required label information such as price, weight, manufacturing date and expiry date, and offering biscuit packets for sale without proper labelling. In addition, they were also charged with selling expired biscuit packets in violation of consumer protection regulations and storing expired food items in refrigerators and warehouses for use in the preparation of other food and beverages, thereby misleading consumers.