The food service sector was warned not to add extra charges for customers

The Consumer Rights Protection Committee issued a warning to the owners of all public catering establishments in the country regarding the inadmissibility of forcing visitors to use additional services and the importance of providing up-to-date price information.

The department reported an increase in complaints from citizens that in some restaurants and cafes, in addition to the cost of food, an additional fee in the form of money for services is included in the invoice, which varies from 10% to 15%, and in some places even amounts to 20%. Additionally, some establishments require advance deposit payments.

In this regard, the committee reminded that according to the Cabinet of Ministers’ resolution, public catering establishments are divided into several types, and they have compiled a small selection to make their differences completely clear. In particular, the specialists presented the following types:

• restaurant is a public catering enterprise with its own name, offering consumers a wide range of high-quality culinary and confectionery products, as well as complexly prepared beverages. Portioned and signature dishes are always included in the restaurant menu. Service is provided by highly qualified chefs and waiters, combining rest, cooking, and serving;
• bar – organizes the provision of drinks and snacks to consumers while standing. Depending on the types of beverages and products sold, bars specialize in beer, wine, cocktails, milk drinks, and others;
• cafe – offers consumers various hot and cold drinks, confectionery products, dairy products, and simple-prepared culinary products. Depending on the products sold or the direction, cafes specialize in sweets, ice cream, dairy products, children’s or youth cafes, etc., where self-service methods are used or the service of waiters is provided, it is possible to organize musical accompaniment in the evening;
• cafeteria is an establishment that provides customers with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The self-service method is employed.
• buffet is an enterprise designed to quickly serve consumers with a limited range of hot and cold drinks, cold dishes and snacks, bakery and confectionery products, as well as simple hot and sweet dishes. Self-service methods or waiter services are used;
• small dining room – an enterprise that organizes quick service to consumers with simple dishes and snacks, hot and cold drinks. Depending on the assortment, small canteens can specialize in kebabs, samsa, and other similar products.

The department reminded that consumers have the right to receive reliable and complete information about services, and contractors are obliged to perform their work in full, and do not have the right to impose on the consumer the purchase of additional goods or services for a fee, as well as to charge for services not rendered. In this regard, specialists warned the owners of catering establishments not to impose additional services.

In particular, they are obliged to create opportunities for consumers to self-serve, depending on the type of enterprise, as well as to provide timely and complete information on the prices of dishes, the procedure for serving and related conditions, including the amount of payment for services rendered.

Earlier, it was reported that in Uzbekistan, public catering establishments will be required to install filters and fat traps. This requirement will become a mandatory clause when connecting to the sewerage system.