Provided by the Bucks County Department of Consumer Protection:
Q. My sister is having our entire family over for a holiday meal this year. She is a very organized person and has assigned each of us something to bring to contribute to the food table. She always seems to know exactly how much of each food item is needed according to the amount of people attending. I have been assigned a tray that would include fresh fruits and vegetables as well as items from the bakery. I want to be certain that I am getting the correct amount of food requested; not only because my sister expects it but also because I have a small budget to work with. How can I be sure that I get the correct amount/weight of the items and that they are accurately priced? – D.O., Bristol
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A. When you choose the items that you will need at the grocery store in the deli, bakery and fruit and vegetable isles, the first thing to be certain of is that the scales have been certified accurate and type approved for the current year by the local or state Weights and Measures Department. The display on the scale should be visible to you. It is the store’s responsibility that the scale is so positioned that its indications may be read accurately and the weighing operation observed from a reasonable “customer” and “operator” position.
Accurate reading of the scale is also the employee’s responsibility: the scale should always begin at zero and they should make an accurate weight determination by reading to the lowest last full graduation. Rounding off to an ounce or ¼ pound is not permitted. When computing the price, they must compute accurately to the nearest cent. Most scales that are used in the grocery stores are computing scales are programmed to do this automatically once the employee enters the items code. The scale used should also allow the employee to compensate and deduct from the weight the paper, cardboard and plastic wrapping that may be used to package your item. This is referred to as “tare”.
Next, pay attention to shelf and/or sale prices. When checking out, be certain that your items ring up at the advertised price.
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The “Consolidated Weights and Measures Act” requires annual inspection of Universal Product Code (“UPC”) scanning systems and Price Look-Up (“PLU”) devices. These systems and devices are the “bar code scanner” technology familiar to most consumers. Inspections of UPC scanning systems and PLU devices in Bucks County are conducted by the Bucks County Department of Weights and Measures. You should see an official Bucks County Seal at the register for the current year indicating the system passed.
If you have additional questions or concerns about scales and scanning systems, feel free to check out our informational brochures at http://www.buckscounty.org/government/CommunityServices/ConsumerProtection/ConsumerTips or by calling the office at 215-348-7442, following the prompt for the Weights and Measures Department.
