Unit of measurement for sale of ‘food wrapping paper and Aluminium foils’ used for carrying food products in “kg” and/or “metre”
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution has issued a notice regarding the appropriate unit of measurement for the sale of food wrapping paper and aluminum foils used to carry food products. Currently, these products are sold in either kilograms or meters. The notice references Rule 12 and Rule 16 of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, which mandate that the declaration of quantity on packaging must provide clear and accurate information to consumers. For items like aluminum foils, the packaging must include the number of usable sheets and their dimensions. The Ministry suggests that both weight (kg) and dimensions (meter x meter or cm x cm) be declared on the packaging to ensure consumers receive accurate information about the quantity of the product. The Department of Consumer Affairs is seeking comments and inputs from the public on this proposal within 30 days, by September 23, 2024. Feedback can be sent to the Director of Legal Metrology at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, or via email. This initiative aims to standardize labeling practices for better consumer transparency.
I-9/29/2024-W&M
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES UNITFOTE
Krishi Bhawan, New
Delhi:- 23.08.2024
Unit of measurement for sale of ‘food wrapping paper and Aluminium foils’ used for carrying food products in “kg” and/or “metre” – reg.
It is observed that food wrapping paper and Aluminum foils used for carrying food products are being sold either in the units of “kg” or “metre”.
2. It is to state that Rule 12 and Rule 16, of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 provides that:
Rule 12. Manner in which declaration of quantity shall be.
The declaration of quantity shall be expressed in terms of such unit of weight, measure or number or a combination of weight, measure or number as would give an accurate and adequate information to the consumer with regard to the quantity of the commodity contained in the package.
(2) Except in the cases of commodities specified in the Fourth Schedule, the declaration of quantity shall be in terms of the unit of –
(a) mass, if the commodity is solid, semi-solid, viscous or a mixture of solid and liquid;
(b) length, if the commodity is sold by linear measure;
(c) area, if the commodity is sold by area measure;
(d) volume, if the commodity is liquid or is sold by cubic measure; or
(e) number, if the commodity is sold by number:
Rule 16. Declarations to be made with regard to the number of usable sheets to be stated. –
In the case of a package containing sheets like aluminium foil, facial tissues, waxed paper, toilet paper or any other type of sheet, the declaration of quantity on the package shall also include a statement as to the number of usable sheets contained in the package and the dimensions of each such sheet.
3. It is considered that both the units i.e. kg and metre X metre (cm X cm) for the physical quantities “weight and length X breadth” are made to be declared on the label as both are important for the consumer to know the actual quantity to be delivered.
4. Therefore, it is requested that the comments/ inputs may kindly be sent within 30 days on whether:
“the unit of measurement of the net quantity for ‘food wrapping paper and Aluminium foils’ used for carrying food products should be declared in both ‘weight and length X breadth’ i.e. ‘kg’ and ‘metre X metre’ (or cm X cm), in the interest of consumer to know the actual quantity of the packing material delivered”.
5. The comments/ feedback/ suggestions, if any, may kindly be sent until 23.09.2024 to Director (Legal Metrology), Department of Consumer Affairs, Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi-01 or by email to dirwm-ca©nic.in/ ashutosh.agarwall3©nic.in/ mk.naik72©in.
(Ashutosh Agarwal)
Director of Legal Metrology
Phone 011-23389489
Email: ashutosh.agarwall3Pnic.in
