Shoppers warned of dodgy measurements on weighed items

As Christmas approaches shoppers are being warned they may be at risk of being ripped off by dodgy supermarkets and grocers overcharging on certain festive foods. This is what to look out for.

Christmas Grinch businesses selling underweight hams and prawns are on notice, with inspectors from the National Measurement Institute blitzing 650 businesses this week ensuring customers are getting what they pay for.

The inspectors will take part in secret shopper exercises to ensure customers who pay for 2kg of ham get 2kg of ham, and that they’re not charged for the ice on their frozen prawns.

Businesses from the large supermarkets to tiny market stalls will be targeted to ensure they’re complying with the law when they sell Christmas treats.

Industry, science and Technology Minister Karen Andrews, who has responsibility for the National Measurement Institute, said inspectors would be ensuring businesses were not charging for the weight of packing materials when they sold their produce.

The weighing of prawns will come under scrutiny during a National Measurement Institute blitz ahead of Christmas. Picture: Supplied

Scales would also be checked to confirm they were approved for trade use and were measuring accurately.

“Australians should feel confident they are getting every gram of what they pay for when shopping for their Christmas lunch,” Ms Andrews said.

“Every dollar counts, particularly around Christmas time, so our inspectors will be looking closely at sales of seasonal goods such as hams and prawns to ensure Australians aren’t ripped off by scrooges using dodgy scales or weights.

“The national audit will include a focus on businesses previously found to be in breach of trade measurement law, to ensure they’ve taken appropriate actions and are once again doing the right thing.”

Businesses caught selling underweight products can expect fines of $1050 per offence, while serious cases can be dealt with by way of prosecution and potential $210,000 fines.

Businesses caught selling underweight products can expect fines of $1050

“The vast majority of our food retailers do the right thing but our inspectors will be out to make sure there aren’t any Christmas grinches taking advantage of stressed shoppers,’’ Ms Andrews said.

“The festive season food bill is often quite large, so we want to make sure if you are treating your family this Christmas with seafood or a ham, you’re getting exactly what you pay for.”

“For example when you buy prawns, you shouldn’t be paying for any water or ice glaze that’s been used to keep them cool and fresh.”

Last year, two Victorian butchers were fined $1050 each for not accounting for the weight of packaging materials. Both had previously received a notice for being non-compliant.

A Queensland butcher was also fined after numerous prepacked meat products were found to be 8 per cent underweight, while a gourmet meats retailer also from Queensland was found to have sold underweight meats at three stores in April this year.

A South Australian butcher was busted for selling underweight prepacked meats in March and May this year, while in New South Wales, a fresh fish seller was caught including the weight of packaging materials in the sale.

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A Queensland fresh food market was fined $1050 after inspectors found its weigh and pack machine was inaccurate by more than five times the maximum permissible error for such machines in December 2017.

In a supermarket blitz in November last year, several supermarkets in Queensland were found to be selling steaks which were almost 20 per cent underweight.

Shops in Queensland and the ACT were found to be selling prepacked cheeses from their delis between 3.6 per cent and 9.6 per cent underweight. They were placed on notice and continue to be monitored.

For more information or to report a suspected breach of the rules, contact the national trade measurement helpline on 1300 686 664 or [e-mail].

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