Shopkeepers will be taken to task for forcing their customers to buy bread with the butter that the purchase.

Minister for Trade and Commerce Aiyaz Saiyed-Khaiyum said the Department of Fair Trading and Consumer Affairs has received complaints from people that some shopkeepers are refusing to sell butter unless the consumer buys bread with it.

He is calling on traders to refrain from such acts because offenders face a maximum penalty of $25,000.

Sayed-Khaiyum said refusing to sell goods unless other goods are purchased is illegal, and is in breach of Section 66E of the Fair Trading Act 1998, which says that a person must not, whether as principal or agent, refuse to sell goods or services except on the condition that other goods or services are also purchased from that person or from any other person or attempt to impose any such condition.

The Trade Minister said every customer has the right to choose what they want to buy, and traders should not force customers otherwise.