January 18, 2023
Reading time • 5 min
City Hall seizes more than 10 thousand prescription glasses sold irregularly
Pieces collected by inspectors in the central area are valued at BRL 300 thousand.
The Municipal Department of Security, in partnership with Procon Porto Alegre, held on this Tuesday (17) an operation to combat the irregular sale of prescription glasses in establishments in the central area. More than 10 thousand glasses, valued at BRL 300 thousand, were collected by the city inspectors. In all, the agents inspected seven sites. The action, called Mr. Magoo, involved more than 30 servers.
According to federal legislation, the sale of prescription glasses is authorized only in accredited opticians. The action, however, caught the sale of these products in jewellery shops and bazaar, without authorization from the government. “In addition to combating the street vendors, the city has also been reinforcing actions in commerce in general to ensure the legal sale of prescription glasses. Although the price is more attractive, these counterfeit materials can cause damage to health,” warns the Deputy Secretary of Security, Commissioner Zottis.
The operation was carried out by the Municipal Guard, Procon agents and municipal inspectors. In all, six sites were fined for illegal trade. “The Procon has legitimacy, based on the Consumer Defense Code, to remove these materials from circulation, thus ensuring consumer protection,” said the executive director of the agency, Alexandre Appel. After the infraction, an internal process will be opened by the Municipal Procon, which may result in a fine to the establishments.
The action was supported by the Union of Optical Material Retailers (Sindióptica RS).
