Permissible maximum deficiency
AS price-conscious consumers, we aim to maximise the value of whatever products we are buying. A common way consumers do this is by comparing the quantity (weight) of a good (which may be of different brands and retailed by different traders) against the price.
However, did you know that items such as garlic, potatoes, onions, soap and other perishable goods can actually dry out and lose weight (shrink) while sitting in the supermarkets/grocery store shelves? This means that the actual weight placed on the label; which you use to make purchasing decisions, may not be precise.
Yes, you read that right! This weight loss due to storage conditions, duration of storage and other factors is known as shrinkage. However, consumers must note that this also implies that you are paying more for a lower quantity of goods.
Shrinkage
The percentage of loss in product weight between manufacture and point of sale is referred to as shrinkage or shrink. Unfortunately, the sale of shrunken products at its actual stated price has become a norm.But wait!
Did you know, traders cannot just say that the weight of a product has decreased due to normal environmental conditions and continue to charge the price for the stated weight? That’s right.
Items which shrink in size have a permissible size of deficiency. According to the National Trade and Measurement (Pre-packed Articles) (Packaging) Regulations 1989 42 and 43, the maximum deficiency on a package of product can be only 5 per cent, which also includes perishable items. This is the permissible deficiency after a day of packaging. The permissible deficiency is to allow for any natural shrinkage that occurs over time.
What does this permissible deficiency mean?
The 5 per cent permissible deficiency means that the weight of a product cannot be less than 5 per cent of the weight written on the product. For instance, a single pre-packed 500g garlic cannot weigh less than 475 grams when sold. The 25grams converts to 5 per cent deficiency allowed in weight which is allowed due to shrinkage.
However, this is not always the case. Products retailed by certain traders tend to have a greater weight shrinkage than 5 per cent of its initial weight. This was discovered for one of the meat products in a survey conducted by the council.
What did the council’s survey show?
Recently, the council conducted a snap survey involving seven supermarkets in the Western Division. The survey discovered that a trader was selling No. 2.9 kg frozen whole chicken which weighed lower than the permitted deficiency of 5 per cent. The permitted weight range stated on the product labelling was 2.852.95 kg however the item weighed in at 2.770 kg.
This is in breach of the legislation.
Council’s stand!
The Consumer Council of Fiji has received concerns from numerous consumers via emails, social media and phone calls stating that shops are selling items with incorrect weight labels. The council has informed the Department of National Trade, Measurements and Standards (DNTMS) of the findings for their enforcement action.
While the DNTMS is looking in to this issue, the council is reminding traders to be responsible and keep a tab on products bound to shrink on their shelves. The next step
In order to determine whether supermarkets are adhering to the permissible maximum deficiency rule, the Council will conduct more snap surveys and follow-up market surveillance.
Trader responsibility Packers, importers, and sellers have a responsibility to ensure their company’s operations have systems in place to achieve compliance with the national trade measurement laws. They need to:
Ensure that the volume of the product they are selling is within the 5 per cent permissible deficiency range. The items traders sell should be correctly labeled and the quantities contained in the packages must comply with measurement requirements;
Ensure that authority is delegated to competent personnel along with appropriate and ongoing training for ensuring compliance with national trade measurement regulations.
Ensure that scales being used are certified by the DNTMS.
If the product may lose weight over time due to evaporation, drying, or other causes, consider the expected weight loss of the product and how fast the product moves from shelves when packaging.
Consumers responsibility
1. Get it weighed again! In consideration
of the above, it is important for consumers to actually weigh items that can shrink in size (for instance garlic). In case of any suspicion of considerable shrinkage, consumers can always request for the product to be re-weighed before buying. You have the right to do so! 2. Ask questions consumers have the right to ask as many questions as possible because they have the right to be informed! Consumers can also contact the council or the Department of National Trade Measurement & Standards for advice on the products and its permissible deficiencies. If consumers come across any unethical or unfair trading practices when out shopping, they are encouraged to contact the council via the toll-free number 155 or lodge a complaint using the Consumer Council of Fiji mobile app.