The Food and Economic Security Authority (ASAE) carried out an inspection operation targeting supermarkets and hypermarkets, with the main objective of verifying compliance with legal provisions regulating price display in commerce and the correct information provided to consumers. This was a reactive operation, given the high number of complaints received on the matter, related to potential situations of price gouging.
As a criminal police body, ASAE is subject to mandatory action within the framework of the Code of Criminal Procedure, and is therefore responsible for following up on complaints, as defined by law and within the scope of its own powers, having investigated complaints related to cash prices differing from the price displayed and available to the consumer.
As a result of the nationwide operation, which involved 27 brigades, 83 economic operators were inspected, and seven criminal proceedings were initiated for the crime of price speculation (an anti-economic offense).
Seven administrative offense proceedings were also initiated, with the main infractions being non-compliance with sales regulations regarding reduced prices, lack of metrological control, and misleading practices, among others.
