The man who swallowed a sliver of a razor blade embedded in a bar of chocolate last week has withdrawn a complaint after reaching a settlement with the chocolate manufacturing company. He had reportedly sustained injuries to his mouth while a small piece also got lodged in his intestines. The withdrawal of the complaint has [...]

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No go in blade-in-chocolate case as complaint is withdrawn

By Nadia Fazlulhaq
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The man who swallowed a sliver of a razor blade embedded in a bar of chocolate last week has withdrawn a complaint after reaching a settlement with the chocolate manufacturing company.

He had reportedly sustained injuries to his mouth while a small piece also got lodged in his intestines.
The withdrawal of the complaint has forced the country’s apex body on consumer goods, the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), to drop investigation into the incident, creating concern among the public.

CAA Director General Chandraratne Pallegama told the Sunday Times they cannot proceed with the probe nor take action against a leading local chocolate manufacturer since the complainant, C.Narangoda, a CAA employee himself, had withdrawn the complaint.

He said during the preliminary inquiry the company charged that it was an act of sabotage. However, Mr. Pallegama added that it could not have occurred in the supermarket from where the chocolate was purchased as the wrapping was intact.
Mr. Narangoda, the chief information technology officer of the CAA had bought the chocolate from a leading supermarket in Minuwangoda in the Gampaha District on September 21. The Sunday Times learns that later on at home he had bitten into the frozen product resulting in the blade breaking into several pieces. He had reportedly swallowed about a half- inch sliver, while another piece had cut his lips and mouth.

Colombo National Hospital Director Dr. Anil Jasinghe said the pieces appeared to be from an old-model blade and x-rays revealed a piece in his intestines. “It was not surgically removed. He passed the piece in his stools and was fortunate not to have suffered any internal injuries,” he said.

The Sunday Times’ attempts to speak to Mr. Narangoda or his family proved futile with the victim saying, “My mouth has got cut and injured. I cannot give an interview,” and family members refusing to cooperate too. An official at the supermarket in Minuwangoda said the victim had initially brought back the remaining chocolate bar and lodged a complaint. Later he had taken it back saying he would be complaining to the CAA.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of the chocolate manufacturing group while denying that the chocolate in question was one of their products, also said he was unaware of any settlement being reached with the complainant. Speaking on behalf of unsuspecting consumers, Housewives Association Secretary Deanna Rizvi said authorities concerned should act more firmly and continue with investigations even if the victim had reached a settlement.

“Chocolate is something that is enjoyed by eight-year-olds to 80-year-olds. This kind of item should go through strict inspection. What assurances can authorities give us that there are no such dangers? At least they should strengthen random checks and investigations should continue,” she said.

Last week, Trade Minister Jhonston Fernando had ordered the inspection of the factory of the company in question and action be taken against the selling of chocolates found to contain products injurious to life, but it did not go ahead as the complaint was withdrawn.




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