The MRTPC notice of inquiry was issued recently on a complaint filed by the director general of investigation and registration (DGIR) that the MNC was allegedly indulging in objectionable and unfair trade practice by denying the customer access to an important instruction unless the product was bought .

The DGIR charged that the company was manipulating while delivering the product by placing a leaflet inside the packet warning users to check for TSS and consult a physician before using it.

The DGIR approached the MRTPC asking the company to cease and desist from indulging in the alleged restrictive trade and to award the cost to the complainant, N Vasantha.

According to the complaint filed, Vasanthahad purchased a packet of `Stayfree Tampons' packet on which it was indicated to read to the instruction carefully before use. But the instructions about TSS were kept inside the packet.

The complainant further mentioned that she went through the contents of the instruction after opening the pack which warned to desist from using the tampons if the user had any previous history of bacterial infections. The complainant also alleged that for the past six months the company was luring the consumers by marketing the product through various TV advertisements.

Replying to the complaint, J&J said the leaflet placed inside the packet did not indicate that the tampons should not be used by those suffering from TSS, it only indicated that the user must consult a physician if she had toxic shock syndrome in the past.

However, the company contended that TSS was a rare bacterial infection and technical studies were carried out to establish that the tampons do not cause TSS. The DGIR of the commission had sought aninquiry into the alleged objectionable unfair trade practice by the multinational to safeguard the public interest.