Consumer Protection

This Pillar has been selected for purposes of the Project because consumers are often unaware of, or even misled or deceived by Corporations, including within the animal agriculture industry as to where their food comes from. This can include misinformation relating to anything from methods of production to the subjective feelings of animals. By asking Corporations questions and for specific information such as their Consumer Awareness Statements, we aim to interrogate whether they are being transparent and accountable to their consumers and members of the public, specifically in respect of duties owed to consumers.

Part A of this Pillar entitled “Laying the Foundations” sets the context of this pillar, namely through its discussion of the corporate dilemma and the power of informed consumers, the role of consumers rights in safeguarding against corporate hypocrisy, duties and responsibilities of corporations towards consumers: corporate accountability.

Part B entitled “Laying Down the Facts” sets out the discussion between consumer and corporate perspectives. This section discusses the distinction between these groups and provides potential answers to consumer questions. Further this section provides more details in respect of the various forms of what ALRSA describes as corporate hypocrisy.

Part C entitled “Laying Down the Law” provides an overview of consumer protection law in South Africa, with emphasis placed on strength and weaknesses and the applicability thereof in the egg industry, the consumer protection regulatory bodies, exampes of legal consumer protection duties of corporations in the egg supply chain and the consequences of non-compiance and jurisprudential development and trends.

Part D entitled “Laying it on the Line” provides for the lack of transparency realities in the egg industry while Part E entitled “Laying it at Stakeholders Doors” discusses key measures to enhancing corporate accountability towards consumers in the Egg Industry.

Consumers deserve to know the truth about their products so that they can make informed decisions and are empowered to select products based on attributes that are important to them – whether this be in relation to animal welfare (such as the methods of production or inputs); environmental; health or otherwise. Furthermore, consumers have legal rights in terms of the products and services they purchase, and there are corresponding duties on Corporations. Failure to comply with these duties can cause financial liability, and have reputational impacts. Moreover, breaches of consumer protection duties, misinformation, and a lack of transparency can have far-reaching implications for consumers. For example, during the 2017-2018 listeriosis outbreak in South Africa over 1000 people lost their lives from purchasing contaminated meat products.