High Price For Short-Weight Cheese

Queensland product packers are warned to ensure their products measure up after the prosecution of a NSW cheese packer for breaching the Trade Measurement Act 1990.

Sharma's Kitchen Pty Ltd director Bipen Sharma pleaded guilty in the Brisbane Magistrates Court to 12 counts of packing short-measure cheese.  The company was fined $5,000 for the breaches, $800 for one count of incorrectly labelling the products, plus court costs.

"The breaches were uncovered during a spot check by trade measurement inspectors following up on a complaint.

"All packs of cheese inspected were underweight with the average deficiency being 16.2 per cent.  One pack was found to be 31.6 per cent underweight," Mrs Keech said.

"To only get two-thirds of what you paid for is unacceptable.  It's like paying for a dozen eggs and only getting eight.

"The products were also incorrectly labelled with the measurement on the back, not at the front where it is easy for the consumer to see."

Mrs Keech said the Qld Office of Fair Trading will not tolerate short measure and incorrectly labelled products.

"Fines for short-measure products are up to $20,000 for individuals and $100,000 for corporations and fines for incorrect labelling reach $10,000 for individuals and $50,000 for corporations.

For information on trade measurement requirements, including fact sheets for traders and consumers, visit the Office of Fair Trading website at www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or call 13 13 04.

www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au