The Consumer Protection and Competition Defense Authority (Acodeco) uncovered a concerning situation following operations across the country: 23,476 anomalies were detected in businesses during January and February 2026. The most striking figure is that thousands of products in irregular conditions were being offered to the public. According to the official report, the most common violation was the sale of expired products, totaling 20,487 cases. Some businesses were not applying the established discounts for retirees, pensioners, and the elderly, while others did not even have visible informational signs. Similar situations occurred with benefits aimed at people with disabilities. The breakdown by region reveals that the problem is widespread throughout the country. Los Santos leads the list with 5,225 expired products, followed by Bocas del Toro with 4,275 and Herrera with 2,141. Other provinces also recorded significant figures, reflecting that the situation is not isolated. Acodeco reiterated that it will maintain national-level operations to protect consumers and enforce regulations. This is compounded by spoiled food products, items without expiration dates, and goods with non-visible prices, which directly affect the consumer's wallet and health. Practices such as double pricing on certain products and items with unclear or duplicated expiration dates were also reported. In smaller amounts but equally serious, the improper use of the subsidized 25-pound gas cylinder was detected, representing an irregularity in the use of state benefits. During the inspections, the authority also found non-compliance with current regulations. The authority insisted that these actions aim to curb abuses and ensure fair conditions in commerce.
