Ministry raising consumer awareness via SMS

AMMAN — The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply sent around 59,000 text messages to the public this month as part of its plan to raise awareness and urge consumers to report any violations in the market.

Around 25,000 messages urged people to report bakeries that do not sell bread by weight between 6am and 8pm, while another 6,000 messages called on consumers to contact the ministry and report any violation in the market on 06-5661176, according to a ministry statement issued Saturday.

The ministry also sent more than 6,000 messages that read: "You have the right to know the price of any item before you buy it; otherwise, do not hesitate to call the ministry's complaint line: 06-5661176."

Another 3,000 messages read: "Please search for alternative items when a particular product's price increase," while 2,600 messages said: "Announcing fake sales is a violation under the Industry and Trade Law; report to 06-5661176."

The ministry also sent around 4,000 messages that read: "Announcing sales without setting their duration or exceeding the time in the announcement is a violation of the Industry and Trade Law."

In addition, the ministry started sending 1,238 awareness messages every day to consumers during Ramadan, with the total number expected to reach 96,000 by the end of the fasting month, the statement added.

Food and beverage consumption rises considerably during Ramadan, when Muslims fast from dawn until sunset, due to a change in eating patterns.