Consumer Protection

Mold in Dried Figs from Turkey, Poland Notified

Poland notified the EU RASFF system on April 22, 2026 of mold contamination (non-pathogenic micro-organisms) detected in dried figs (Figi suszone) originating from Turkey. The affected product was sampled on April 2, 2026 and the notifying country took action to withdraw the product from the market, with distribution restricted to Poland only. Two follow-up entries document investigation outcomes from WSSE w Warszawie I and PSSE Poznań.

Salmonella Detected in Turkey Meat from Italy, April 2026

Italy's competent authority ordered the official detention of a batch of turkey meat product 'Anca di tacchino' after analytical testing on 1 April 2026 confirmed the presence of Salmonella spp. (pathogenic micro-organisms, 'Rilevato /25g'). The product, originating from Italy, was reportedly no longer on the market at the time of the notification. A corrigendum follow-up was filed by Italy on the same date.

Salmonella Infantis Detected in Slovak Fresh Poultry Meat

A RASFF notification has been issued for Salmonella infantis (pathogenic micro-organisms) detected in fresh poultry meat originating from Slovakia. The product (Carne di pollame refrigerata) was sampled on 31 March 2026, with detection confirmed at presenza/detected per 25g. Italy, the affected Member State, has taken transformation action on the product. The product is reportedly no longer on the market, and no follow-up actions have been recorded.

KfW TenneT Transnet Concentration Under Foreign Subsidies Regulation

The European Commission reviewed the concentration involving KfW, TenneT, and Transnet under Regulation 2022/2560 (Foreign Subsidies Regulation). The parties operate in D.35.13 - Transmission of electricity (NACE Rev. 2.1). The notification was filed on 16.03.2026 and the provisional deadline expired on 23.04.2026, concluding the Commission's suspension period review.

Consumer Survey on Retail Price Discrepancies Nigeria

The FCCPC Nigeria is conducting a research study on pricing discrepancies between displayed shelf prices and actual checkout charges across retail outlets in Nigeria. The survey aims to identify the scale of pricing transparency issues to inform potential consumer protection measures. The agency is inviting Nigerian consumers to participate voluntarily through a Google Form to gather data on this issue.

FCCPC Clarifies No Ban on Airtime Borrowing or Data Advance Services

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC Nigeria) has issued a clarification stating that it has not banned airtime borrowing or data advance services in Nigeria, contrary to misinformation circulating in newspapers and social media. The commission issued the DEON Consumer Lending Regulations in July 2025 to address consumer complaints about opaque charges, unexplained deductions, aggressive recovery practices, and poor disclosure in digital lending. After two compliance windows (initial 90-day period plus extension to January 5, 2026), affected operators failed to register and regularize their services. The FCCPC states any service changes are business decisions by operators, not regulatory bans.

Federal High Court Affirms FCCPC Powers Over Air Peace Ticket Refunds

The Federal High Court Abuja dismissed Air Peace Limited's suit challenging the FCCPC's authority to investigate consumer complaints and issue summons under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018. Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment on April 20, 2026, affirming the Commission's statutory powers to receive complaints, assess matters, and conduct investigations. The case arose from passenger complaints about unrefunded ticket fares and cancelled flights. This ruling strengthens FCCPC's position as Nigeria's primary consumer protection authority in the aviation sector.

SIC Colombia Consumer Protection and Competition News April 2026

SIC Colombia publishes its April 2026 consumer protection and competition news summary, covering enforcement actions through April 20. The most significant action is sanctions exceeding $1.379 billion COP against a pharmaceutical laboratory and wholesale distributor for price-control violations with markups of 46% and 400%. The regulator also initiated investigations against telecom operators Claro and Movistar for unauthorized equipment charges, opened consumer protection probes into e-commerce platforms D1 and RAPPI, and issued information requests to telecommunications market agents regarding competitive conditions.

Requirements for Bringing Dogs, Cats, Ferrets to Norway

NFSA Norway has published a guide for pet owners travelling to Norway with dogs, cats, or ferrets. The document outlines entry requirements including health documentation, vaccination rules, and treatment specifications. The guide also notes special requirements for the import of former stray animals from other countries.

NSQ Drug Alerts - Not Standard Quality Pharmaceuticals India

CDSCO India publishes Not Standard Quality (NSQ) drug alerts listing pharmaceutical products found non-compliant with quality standards during testing. Alert records identify affected drug products, recalling manufacturers, specific quality defects, and test failure parameters. Alert dates and product identifiers are recorded for each entry to facilitate regulatory traceability and market withdrawal actions by state drug authorities and healthcare providers.

VKI Austria Warns of Cleverbuy Payment Delays and Complaint Pattern

VKI Austria published a consumer warning about Cleverbuy, a German online platform for buying and selling used electronics, after documenting a systematic pattern of complaints including delayed or withheld payments, deleted customer communication records, and unilateral price reductions without proper notification. The European Consumer Centre network recorded over 300 complaints while the German consumer association (vzbv) documented more than 900 complaints between 2024 and 2025. VKI has issued an EU-wide CPC (Consumer Protection Cooperation) warning and provides affected consumers with actionable next steps for seeking payment.

Test Schnuller 2026: Spuren von BPA in Mehreren Marken

VKI Austria tested 13 pacifier brands available on the Austrian market — Alvär, Babylove, Babylove nature, Baby Nova, Bibs, Canpol Babies, Grün Specht, Mam, Medela Baby, Nip, Nuk, Philips Avent, and Shein — for Bisphenol A (BPA) contamination. Despite Austria's legal ban on intentionally added BPA in pacifiers and teething rings, traces of BPA were detected in multiple products. The report attributes the contamination to external sources in the production environment, including manufacturing equipment, packaging materials, adjacent production areas, and airborne particles.

Billa Brandteig Krapferl: Excessive Air, Minimal Fill in Packaging

VKI Austria's consumer information review of Billa Brandteig Krapferl (puff pastry puffs) found the product's packaging contains excessive air relative to content. The package stands 19.5 cm tall but the actual fill height is only approximately 11.5 cm, meaning the box is only about three-fifths full despite containing the stated 250 grams. Rewe International AG responded that the smaller packaging is technically not possible due to fully automated production and equipment limitations.

Precision Medical Testing Lab Registration Guidelines Abolished

The Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) has abolished the 'Key Points for Registration Management of Precision Medical Molecular Testing Laboratories' (精準醫療分子檢測實驗室列冊登錄管理要點), with effect from 21 April 2026. This eliminates the registration and management framework that governed precision medical molecular testing laboratories under the Quality Supervision and Management Division. Affected laboratories previously subject to these guidelines should verify whether alternative regulatory requirements remain applicable.

Amends Pesticide Residue Allowable Standards Article 3 Appendix 1

Taiwan FDA (TFDA) issued an amendment to the Pesticide Residue Allowable Standards under Article 3, Appendix 1, via official document 衛授食字第1151300817號 dated April 21, 2026. The amendment modifies permitted pesticide residue limits in food products, affecting agricultural producers, food manufacturers, and importers operating in Taiwan. Supporting documentation including the amendment rationale, comparison table, and revised regulations are available for download from the TFDA website.

Hepatitis A Food Testing Method Revised, Effective July 2026

TFDA Taiwan revised the testing method for Hepatitis A virus in food, renaming it from 「食品中微生物之檢驗方法－A型肝炎病毒之檢驗」 to 「食品微生物之檢驗方法－A型肝炎病毒之檢驗」. The amendment takes effect on 1 July 2026 and is issued under Article 38 of the Food Safety and Hygiene Management Act (食品安全衛生管理法). Food testing laboratories and food manufacturers should update their procedures to align with the revised method by the effective date.

MFDS Builds K-Brand Trust in Latin America Through Food Safety Cooperation Program

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) and the Korea Agency of HACCP Accreditation and Services (KAHAS) announced the 'Strengthening the Capacity for Safety Management of Food Imports and Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean (2023–2027)' program. The initiative aims to build trust for Korean 'K-Brand' products in Latin American markets through enhanced food safety cooperation between Korea and the Latin America and Caribbean region. The program, registered on April 21, 2026, is managed by the Division of Import Inspection Management (수입검사관리과) under the Food Safety Minister OH Yu-kyoung.

MFDS Shares Zero Foodborne Illness Expertise with APEC 2026 Shenzhen Delegation

A delegation from China's Shenzhen Market Supervision and Administration Bureau (SAMR Shenzhen) visited Korea from April 13 to 15. The visit was arranged to benchmark Korea's food safety management system and policy models ahead of the APEC 2026 Leaders' Meeting, which Shenzhen will host. MFDS shared its zero foodborne illness expertise as part of the international knowledge-sharing engagement. The press release contains no compliance obligations, penalties, or new regulatory requirements for any parties.

WHO Gives Korea Perfect Score, World-Class Food Safety

The Republic of Korea received the highest possible score of 5 in the "Food Safety" area of the Joint External Evaluation (JEE) conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO), recognising Korea's food safety management system as world-class. The evaluation, conducted by WHO, awarded Korea a perfect score of 5 in food safety capacity. The announcement was made by MFDS Minister Oh Yu-Kyoung on 21 April 2026.

FNE Pide TDLC Elimine Cobro Injustificado de Tarifa de Seguridad Aplicado a Importadores y Exportadores por Terminales Portuarios

La Fiscalía Nacional Económica (FNE) de Chile presentó argumentos ante el Tribunal de Defensa de la Libre Competencia (TDLC) en representación de importadores y exportadores afectados, solicitando el cese del cobro de una tarifa básica de seguridad impuesta por tres terminales portuarias en Valparaíso y San Antonio. Los terminales demandados —Terminal Pacífico Sur Valparaíso (TPS), San Antonio Terminal Internacional (STI) y DP World San Antonio (DPW)— comenzaron a cobrar esta tarifa entre septiembre de 2019 y febrero de 2021, pese a que las actividades de seguridad ya estaban remuneradas en las tarifas básicas de transferencia pagadas por las empresas navieras y sin que existieran inversiones extraordinarias que justificaran el cobro adicional. La FNE pidió al TDLC que imponga multas por un total de 26.897 Unidades Tributarias Anuales (UTA), equivalentes a aproximadamente US$ 25,1 millones.

FNE Realiza Visita Protocolar a Subsecretaría de Telecomunicaciones

El Fiscal Nacional Económico, Jorge Grunberg, realizó una visita protocolar a la Subsecretaria de Telecomunicaciones, Romina Garrido. En el encuentro las autoridades abordaron temas de interés común relacionados con la industria de las telecomunicaciones y conversaron sobre espacios de colaboración entre la FNE y la Subtel.

Chile FNE Co-Leads ICN Merger Working Group, 2026-2029

The Fiscalía Nacional Económica (FNE) of Chile has been selected to co-lead the International Competition Network's Merger Working Group (MWG) for the period 2026–2029, alongside France's Autorité de la Concurrence and Spain's Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia. The MWG promotes best practices in merger review regimes, facilitates procedural and substantive convergence, and aims to reduce the time and cost of multi-jurisdictional reviews. The first working meeting is scheduled for May 6–8 in Manila, Philippines, during ICN's 25th Annual Conference.

Carr Warns Georgians of Price Gouging and Wildfire Scams

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr warns Georgians of price gouging and scams following Governor Brian Kemp's State of Emergency declaration for 91 counties due to South Georgia wildfires. The emergency declaration took effect April 22, 2026 and remains in place until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, May 22, 2026, invoking the Price Gouging Statute for goods and services necessary for preparation, response, and recovery activities. The Consumer Protection Division provides tips to help consumers avoid contractor fraud, charity fraud, and other deceptive practices related to the disaster.

Fuel Surcharge Guidance and Multiple Regulatory Updates from Commerce Commission NZ

The Commerce Commission NZ published a collection of regulatory updates on 22 April 2026, including guidance on fuel surcharges, merger review statements, infrastructure approvals, and enforcement actions. The High Court imposed a $2.482 million penalty on Co-operative Bank for breaching the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2003. The Commission proposed approving Transpower's $1.1386 billion capex allowance for Cook Strait cable replacement and approved Wellington Electricity's substation upgrade for central Wellington power supply protection. Multiple merger reviews remain ongoing.

Competition Matters Conference 2026, 14th May, Auckland

The Commerce Commission NZ has announced its 2026 conference, Competition Matters, scheduled for Thursday 14 May at the New Zealand International Conference Centre in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. The event will feature speakers and panellists from government, the OECD, and the business community discussing competition and consumer welfare issues. Registration is open via competitionmatters.nz/register. This is a conference announcement with no new regulatory obligations.

Subscribe to Media Releases, Newsletters, and Industry Updates

The Commerce Commission NZ invites readers to subscribe to its media releases, monthly Competition Matters newsletter, and industry-specific updates via email. Social media links to Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube are provided. Previous issues of the Competition Matters newsletter are archived from July 2025 through March 2026. No compliance obligations or deadlines are created by this page.

GVH Investigates iHerb Over Dietary Supplement Claims

The Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) has initiated competition supervision proceedings against iHerb Netherlands BV and its U.S. parent company iHerb LLC on suspicion of using unlawful health-related claims and therapeutic effect claims in advertising food products and dietary supplements since November 2024. The investigation focuses on violations including health claims that violate sectoral regulations, claims attributing disease prevention or treatment properties, and products sold as dietary supplements without required registration with the National Centre for Public Health and Pharmacy. The case registration number is VJ/12/2026, and the standard procedural timeframe is three months, extendable twice by up to two months each.

Government Press Release Content Not Available

The Press Information Bureau of India (PIB India) page at this URL displays a content-unavailable placeholder indicating no press release is currently published. The page renders a ministry/department navigation interface with a date and year selector, but the core content area shows the message 'No release is available' (***No release is available***). This is a navigational placeholder page rather than a substantive regulatory document.

PIB India Navigation Menu

PIB India displays its standard navigation menu listing all Indian government ministries and departments (from Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare to Women and Child Development) with a year filter for selecting press releases across 2009-2026. The specific page linked contains no actual press release article — the page indicates no releases are available for the selected period. This is a navigation/index interface page from the official government press bureau, not a substantive regulatory document.

PIB India - No Press Releases Available

The PIB India press release page returned a navigation template with no substantive content. The page header lists Indian government ministries and departments, date/month/year selectors, and a message in Hindi indicating no releases are available for the selected period. This is a technical navigation page, not a regulatory document.

Web Form for Reporting Website Issues to CNMC

The CNMC (Comisión Nacional de Mercados y la Competencia), Spain's national competition and markets regulator, provides a web form for users to report problems with its official website. The form allows users to describe website issues, attach images, and submit feedback to help improve the content and functionality of the CNMC's online platform. This is an informational infrastructure tool, not a regulatory action or enforcement measure.

Taiwan Travel Food Regulations for International Tourists

The Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) issued guidance for international tourists and parcel recipients on food import rules effective March 10, 2026. General food items are exempt if priced under USD 1,000 and weighing less than 6 kilograms per item, while capsules and tablets are limited to 36 bottles total across all types. TFDA warns that imported products under the personal use exemption cannot be resold or distributed, with violators subject to fines of NT$30,000 to NT$3,000,000 under Articles 30 and 47 of the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation.

APEC Conference on Tobacco Control Addresses Emerging Products

The Health Promotion Administration of Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare convened an international tobacco control conference in Taipei on March 25, 2026, bringing together 11 APEC economies including Australia, Canada, Japan, Korea, Singapore, the United States, and others. The conference addressed regulatory frameworks for emerging tobacco and nicotine products such as e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, while exploring innovative smoking cessation services and integrated care models. Taiwan highlighted its amended Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act (2023 amendment strengthening regulation of new nicotine products) and ongoing enforcement collaboration with local health bureaus.

Diogo Thomson Named Interim CADE President

Conselheiro Diogo Thomson de Andrade assumed interim presidency of Brazil's Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica (CADE) on April 12, 2026, succeeding Gustavo Augusto whose term ended. Thomson has been with CADE since 2007, serving as a prosecutor, administrative instructor, and deputy superintendent for over a decade before joining the Tribunal as a counselor in 2023. His appointment crowns a near-two-decade career traversing every level of Brazil's competition authority.

CADE Publishes 2025 Integrated Management Report

CADE Brazil published its 2025 Integrated Management Report on April 15, 2026, consolidating institutional results, governance practices, and public resource management under four structural axes: organizational overview, governance and strategy, risk management, and budget execution. The report reflects the agency's work in promoting fair and efficient competition aligned with constitutional principles.

Three Cases on CADE Agenda Thursday Diogo Thomson

CADE Brazil published the agenda for its 264th Ordinary Judgment Session in the Diário Oficial da União on April 16, 2026. The session is scheduled for Thursday April 23 at 10h, broadcast live on YouTube, and will be the first presided over by interim president Diogo Thomson who took office on April 12. Three cases are listed: Administrative Inquiry 08700.003498/2019-03 against Google Inc. and Google Brasil Internet Ltda. (relator Gustavo Augusto, vote-vista Camila Cabral); Administrative Proceeding 08700.002545/2023-70 from the Paraná state prosecutor against six respondents including Augustinho Stang and several fuel and commerce companies (relator José Levi); and Administrative Proceeding 08700.002556/2026-01 for incidental procedural sanctions against WhatsApp LLC and Facebook Serviços Online do Brasil (relator Carlos Jacques).

Illinois Green Film Tax Credit, 5% Additional Uplift

Illinois has launched a first-in-the-nation Green Film Tax Credit program offering an additional 5% tax credit uplift for film and television productions that achieve "certified green production" status through the Illinois Film Office, which uses a comprehensive scoring system to measure environmental impact across all phases of production. The announcement coincides with Illinois' film production expenditures reaching a record $703 million in 2025, supporting approximately 18,000 industry hires. The program is designed to incentivize sustainable practices including waste minimization, energy reduction, efficient transportation, sustainable materials, and responsible food practices on set.

Illinois State Fair 2026, 100 Days Celebration, May 5th

The Illinois Department of Agriculture announced the 2026 Illinois State Fair "100 Days Out" Celebration, scheduled for May 5, 2026 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Reisch Pavilion on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The free event will feature food vendors including Mickey's Massive Burritos, On Point Concessions, Taft's Mr. Ribeye, Vose's Korndog, and Scoop Du Jour, along with prize package giveaways. The 2026 Illinois State Fair itself will run from August 13-23.

11 Therapy Canine Teams Graduate in Illinois Crisis Response Program

The Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB), in partnership with the Cook County Sheriff's Office (CCSO), graduated the inaugural cohort of the nation's first Crisis Response Therapy Canine Certification Program on April 22, 2026. The 11 certified therapy canine teams representing seven Illinois agencies completed rigorous training in crisis intervention, behavioral health awareness, and canine-handler coordination. The program establishes standardized training guidelines for therapy canines working alongside law enforcement in mental health calls, community engagement, and post-trauma response situations.

ISO 14001 Updated to Drive Environmental Action

ISO has published ISO 14001:2026, an updated environmental management standard that shifts organizational focus from environmental reporting to active, risk-driven environmental management. The standard requires organizations to identify their most significant environmental aspects and concentrate resources where impacts and risks are greatest, rather than pursuing uniform actions. The new edition also strengthens alignment with other management system standards including ISO 9001 (quality), ISO 45001 (occupational health and safety), and ISO 50001 (energy management), allowing integrated implementation. Compliance and environmental management professionals should note that ISO 14001 is explicitly described as a governance framework supporting leadership in understanding environmental risk and aligning environmental performance with broader organizational objectives. The standard is positioned as applicable across diverse contexts from complex industrial sectors (oil and gas, chemical manufacturing, nuclear energy) to community organizations, emphasizing its flexibility in addressing varied organizational footprints.

UNDRR Chief: Critical Infrastructure Must Prioritize Resilience

The UNDRR Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction, Kamal Kishore, has published a thought leadership piece on ISO's website arguing that critical infrastructure resilience can no longer be optional. The article cites the Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction 2025, noting that while direct disaster costs reach approximately USD 202 billion annually, the true cost is eleven times higher — nearly USD 2.3 trillion annually — when cascading and indirect impacts are included. The piece highlights ISO 22372, an international standard developed from the Principles for Resilient Infrastructure, as a practical pathway for achieving resilience and complements regulatory frameworks such as the EU's Resilience of Critical Entities (CER) Directive. Organizations responsible for critical infrastructure systems in energy, water, transport, and healthcare sectors should consider the standard as a benchmark for identifying hidden vulnerabilities and strengthening continuity of essential services under stress.

ISO 14001:2026 Published, Raising Environmental Performance Bar

ISO has published ISO 14001:2026, a revised edition of the world's most widely used environmental management standard, trusted by more than 670,000 certified organizations worldwide. The new edition introduces clearer guidance, stronger alignment with environmental priorities including climate change, biodiversity, and resource efficiency, and greater emphasis on leadership, governance, and integrated value-chain management. Organizations currently certified to ISO 14001 should monitor transition timelines from their certification bodies, while those not currently certified can consider adopting the revised standard.

Mavera AB Fined SEK 14.3M for Dominant Position Abuse

The Swedish Competition Authority fined Mavera AB SEK 14.3 million for abusing a dominant position in the market for insurance medical advisory services since at least 2020. The Authority also ordered Mavera to cease applying exclusivity agreements that prevented insurance medical advisers from taking assignments from competing intermediary services, with a conditional fine of SEK 30 million for non-compliance. The decision may be appealed to the Swedish Patent and Market Court.

Swedish Competition Authority Guidance on Municipal Grocery Retail Competition

The Swedish Competition Authority (KKV) has published guidance and a report to help municipalities promote effective competition in the grocery retail sector, where the market is highly concentrated and over one million people lack access to a discount store in their municipality. The guidance provides tools for analysing local competition conditions and recommendations for facilitating new store establishment, with a proposed amendment to the Swedish Planning and Building Act requiring municipalities to address competition in their comprehensive plans. KKV does not recommend new legislation on contractual barriers after assessing options to reduce barriers to grocery retail site access.

2026 Casino Career Fair - April 30, 9AM-1PM, Atlantic City

The New Jersey Casino Control Commission announces its annual Casino Career Fair for April 30, 2026, from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at the Commission's headquarters at 1325 Boardwalk & Tennessee Ave. in Atlantic City. The event, held at a government administrative office, provides job seekers with networking opportunities with representatives from all nine Atlantic City casinos and on-site resume assistance services provided by the N.J. Department of Labor. Pre-registration is available via the Commission's website.

Generative AI and Competition: Market Study Report Version 2.0

The Japan Fair Trade Commission published the Report Regarding Generative AI Version 2.0, updating its October 2024 market study on generative AI markets. The report adds an overview of the autonomous driving market and reorganizes issues under the Antimonopoly Act based on information collected from approximately 30 stakeholders including domestic and foreign enterprises, experts, relevant ministries and agencies, and overseas authorities. The JFTC will continue to address specific cases identified as problematic under the Antimonopoly Act and will actively coordinate with relevant government agencies to ensure a fair competitive environment in generative AI markets.

Japan Investigates Microsoft Azure Antitrust Violations

The Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) has opened an investigation into Microsoft Corporation, Microsoft Japan Co., Ltd., and Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited for suspected violations of the Antimonopoly Act related to Microsoft Azure cloud services. The investigation focuses on allegations that Microsoft restricts enterprises from using its software in combination with competing cloud services, either by prohibiting combined use or by modifying trade terms to increase user costs when used with competitors. The JFTC is seeking information and comments from third parties by April 3, 2026.