Poultry

Labelling and testing requirement

All packaged foods must be marked and sold with a stated net quantity on the package. All packaging must be excluded from the quantity statement.

If any fluid is in the packaged food and is identified for consumption, such as in the name, description or instructions, it should be included in the net quantity statement.

If any fluid is not identified for consumption, it should not be included in the net quantity statement.

For more information see:

• Requirement to sell goods by net quantity
• Food quantity labelling requirements and exemptions
• General quantity labelling requirements

Test procedures to establish net weight

The following procedures have been developed to help Trading Standards Officers and packers determine whether the stated net weight on packaged poultry products is correct.

Procedure 1 – portioned fresh poultry

Required equipment

You’ll need the following equipment for the testing procedure:

• Suitable weighing instrument
• Tray to place poultry on
• Scissors
• Latex gloves
• Calculator

Step 1

• Record the product name, batch number/ID and stated net weight of product.

Step 2

• Place empty tray on weighing instrument and push the 'Tare' button.
• Remove tray.

Step 3

• Put on latex gloves and use scissors to open product packaging.
• Remove poultry pieces and place on tray, ensuring any absorption and soaker pads remain with the packaging.
• Place tray on weighing instrument and record the actual net weight.
• Remove tray and poultry from weighing instrument.

Step 4

• Zero the weighing instrument.
• Place packaging, including any absorption and soaker pads, on the weighing instrument.
• Record the weight.

Step 5

• Calculate any error by subtracting the actual net weight of poultry from the stated net weight.

Procedure 2 – whole fresh poultry

Required equipment

• Suitable weighing instrument
• Tray to place poultry on
• Scissors
• Latex gloves
• Calculator

Step 1

• Record the product name, batch number/ID and stated net weight of package.

Step 2

• Place empty tray on weighing instrument and push the 'Tare' button.
• Remove tray.

Step 3

• Put on latex gloves. Place package on a horizontal surface for 30 seconds with poultry breast on the upper surface, to allow any fluid to settle.

Step 4

• Hold the package vertically and open product along upper seam using scissors.
• Remove whole poultry.

Step 5

• Place whole poultry on tray, ensuring any absorption and soaker pads remain with the packaging.
• Place tray on weighing instrument and record the actual net weight.
• Remove tray and poultry from weighing instrument.

Step 6

• Zero the weighing instrument.
• Place packaging, including any absorption and soaker pads and any remaining fluid contained in the package, on the weighing instrument.
• Record the weight.

Step 7

• Calculate any error by subtracting the actual net weight of poultry from the stated net weight.

Penalties for breaching the weights and measures legislation

Selling short quantity packaged goods

It's an offence if the weight, measure or number of goods in the package is less than that stated on the package or label.

If your goods are found by a Trading Standards Officer to be short of their stated net quantity, you may be subject to an enforcement action under Section 16A of the Weights and Measures Act 1987.

For more information see:

• Offences and associated fees and fines
• What to do about short quantity packages
• Weights and Measure Act 1987 — Section 16A, Offence to supply weight, measure, or number not in accordance with stated quantity(external link)

Selling packaged goods not marked as prescribed

It’s an offence if a packaged good is not marked as prescribed.

If your goods are determined by a Trading Standards Officer to not meet the marking requirements, you may be subject to an enforcement action under Regulation 80 of the Weights and Measures Regulations 1999.

For more information see:

• Offences and associated fees and fines
• Food quantity labelling requirements and exemptions
• Weights and Measures Regulations 1999 — Regulation 80, Offence to sell or offer to sell or expose for sale any goods or packaged food not marked as prescribed(external link)

Trading Standards visits and inspections

Trading Standards inspections

Visits by Trading Standards Officers