Notice to sellers and consumers: sale of blueberries and other loose fruit in mass units only
The Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (CAFIA) notifies sellers and informs consumers that loose blueberries and other sorts of loose fruit have to be offered and sold in mass units (kilograms) and not in volumetric units (litres).
CAFIA recently received a number of consumers’ complaints which pointed to practices of some sellers offering their goods in volumetric rather than in mass units. In their complaints, the consumers pointed to the difference between the volume of the goods during its sale and after delivery home. Some consumers mentioned a drop in volume of up to 20 % after remeasuring.
CAFIA notifies the sellers of loose blackberries that according to the applicable legislation, the operator has to provide information of the foodstuffs and this information must not be misleading, in particular as regards the amount of the foodstuff in question. Legislation further stipulates that information on the food amount must be specific, unambiguous and verifiable.
With regard to the fact that during the sale in volumetric units also elements, such as “shaking of blueberries down” or “the air amount” play its role, the sale in litres is significantly less reliable indicator of the amount compared to the sale in mass units, thus in kilograms.
CAFIA inspectors have already required for several seasons that loose blueberries or other types of loose fruit has been sold in mass units to consumers. Although the majority of sellers do so and consumers expect that, CAFIA inspectors will check keeping this obligation during the season.
Article by: Pavel Kopřiva – CAFIA Spokesperson, phone: +420 542 426 633
31st July 2024