The net quantity declaration must not contain words containing exaggerated or misleading information about the net quantity. For example, “minimum”, “not less than”, “average”, “approximately”, “approximately”, or other words of a similar nature. Rule 6(c), in conjunction with Rule 13 of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Products) Regulations, 2011 (“LMPC Rules”) states that each package must bear a label containing a declaration of the net quantity in the form of the standard unit of weight or measure of the goods (i.e. kg, grams, litres, etc.) or the number of goods in the package (where the goods are sold by number). Therefore, prepackaged goods with a net quantity/length of one gram, metre, kilogram, millilitre, centimetre, litre and unit/number are not required to indicate the unit selling price. The area around the net quantity ratio must not contain information written as above and below by a space corresponding to the height of the number, and to the right and left twice as much space as the height of the number. The net weight of the quantity must exclude packaging or packaging and contain accurate information on the weight of the goods. The quantity for packages with a capacity of 5 cubic centimetres or less must be indicated on a label, tape, card or similar device attached to the means of containment. Only the International System of Units should be used to report the net quantity. `net quantity` means, in the case of goods contained in a package, the quantity by weight, size or number of those goods contained in that package, excluding packaging or wrapping. The net quantity must be calculated by the food manufacturer in the form of exact weight or weight. Figures must be reported. The notice provides the necessary flexibility for labelling on packages.
Minor errors related to font style (uppercase and lowercase) and full/abbreviated form of the unit symbol should not be penalized as long as the net quantity confirms the SI unit. In a consultative spirit, this relaxation can also be extended to other unit symbols such as meters (m), centimeters (cm), milliliters (mm), number (N), units (U), etc. According to this recommendation, trade representatives have been instructed not to take enforcement action if the net quantity declared on the packaged goods is either in lowercase or uppercase letters (such as kg or KG, GRAM or grams, etc.) or in full or abbreviated form (KG or KILOGRAM or kilogram, etc.). The only requirement is that the declaration must contain the net quantity in SI units. According to the Legal Metrology (Packaged Products) Rules 2011, it is mandatory, in the interest of consumers, to declare the net quantity in standard units of weight or measure, with the exception of other declarations for all prepackaged products. Manufacturers/packagers/importers report the net quantity of cooking oil, etc., by volume and indicate the temperature at the time of packaging as well as the units of mass. Only a few manufacturers represented the temperature as high as 600C. It has been observed that such an indication of the net amount of edible oil, ghee vanaspati, etc. in terms of volume keeps the volume (e.g. 1 litre) at different temperatures with a different mass when the packaging indicates a higher temperature. The weight of edible soybean oil may be different at different temperatures, the volume being one liter, as follows: according to the provisions of the regulations, the net quantity of edible oil, ghee vanaspati, etc. must be indicated in weight or volume, and if declared in volume, the corresponding weight of the goods must be declared.
It is observed that industry proactively mentions temperature while reporting net quantity by volume. Therefore, the weight of cooking oil is different at different temperatures. In order to ensure that the consumer receives the correct quantity in the packaging at the time of purchase, manufacturers/packagers/importers of cooking oil, etc. have been asked to pack said products without specifying the temperature and to ensure that the quantity indicated on the packaging is correct in volume and mass. Answer: Yes, the selling price per unit must be stated, but calculating the selling price per unit eliminates the extra volume/units/quantity offered for FREE. The retail selling price and net quantity must be printed on the packaging in colour contrasting with the background of the label. If the label information is blown onto glass or plastic material, no contrast background is required.