SABS vows to clamp down on errant bread retailers

The South African Bureau of Standards on Tuesday vowed to move against retailers who are producing and selling underweight loaves.

"The South African Bureau of Standards 's Legal Metrology department is to take harsh action against retailers who are found to be in violation of the legal requirement for producing bread," the bureau said.

The SABS had been inundated with calls from consumers after an article in a daily newspaper showed inconsistency in the price, as well as the average weight of bread.

According to the Trade Metrology Act, labelling requirements for pre-packaged products and general requirements for the sale of goods were subject to legal metrological control, the SABS said. The Act stipulated the weight of a loaf of bread which a bakery could produce.

In protecting consumers, the SABS's Legal Metrology department would intensify its inspection of bakeries and would take legal action against those found to be in violation of the legal requirements as this amounted to fraud and deception.

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