consumer affairs

Bakeries found skimping

An inspection of 232 bakeries in the districts of Panama and San Miguelito revealed that 194, or 83.6 percent, were in violation of local regulations. According to reports from the Autoridad de Protección al Consumidor y Defensa de la Competencia (Acodeco), 115, or 59.3 percent, had no price information posted in plain sight and 79, or 40.7 percent, were selling products that weighed less than advertised.

Acodeco authorities carried out the inspection in the communities of Ancon, Bethania, Pueblo Nuevo, Río Abajo, Parque Lefevre, San Francisco, Juan Díaz, Calidonia, Bella Vista, Albrook and San Miguelito.

A total of 25,579 bread samples were inspected, of which 37.5 percent did not comply with the posted weights. Bread prices, like others for items in the basic food basket, have doubled in recent years.