Acodeco says mini‑supermarkets won’t be fined for underfilled 25‑lb gas cylinders

Panama’s consumer‑protection authority, the Autoridad de Protección al Consumidor y Defensa de la Competencia (Acodeco), clarified that its inspections of 25‑pound liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders are not intended to sanction mini‑supermarkets, grocery stores or other retailers when a cylinder is found with less gas than required. Inspectors weigh each cylinder with calibrated equipment, remove any underfilled cylinder from the point of sale and send it to Acodeco’s headquarters for technical verification and investigation of the distribution chain. If a distributor is found to be non‑compliant, legal sanctions may be applied. The agency emphasized that retailers are not fined simply for possessing an underfilled cylinder and urged merchants and the public not to be misled by misinformation. Administrator Ramón Abadi Balid reiterated that the procedure aims to protect consumer rights and ensure families receive the amount of gas they pay for.