Fresh Produce Packed for Sale in Grocery Stores Must State Net Weight

The weight of fresh produce packaged for sale in grocery stores must state its net weight on the label, says the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry’s Enforcement Division following recent checks on grocers.

Its enforcement director-general Datuk Azman Adam said the tare weight, or the weight of packaging such as plastic trays, cling wraps and absorbent pads, should not be included in the net weight.

“Every weight must be in net weight,” he said in a response to a report in The Star on Jan 13, which highlighted consumer concerns that the price of weighed produce included its packaging.

Consumer advocates, including the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations and the Consumers’ Association of Penang, have criticised the practice of including tare weight in the price of produce, which undermines transparency and fair trade principles.

Azman said that a team of enforcement officers have since gone on recent inspections at grocers in the city.

“We conducted weight tests on packaged chicken. The weighing, using ministry-standard instruments, revealed a reduction in the (stated) weight of each package.”

He noted that this prompted legal action under the Trade Descriptions (Marking of Quantity on Pre-packaged Goods) Order 2023.

While Malaysia’s consumer protection laws address pricing accuracy, there is no specific and widespread enforcement of regulations requiring retailers to exclude tare weight in the pricing of fresh produce.

Many supermarkets include the weight of packaging in the pricing of fresh produce, a practice justified by stores as necessary for hygiene and packaging security.

However, consumer groups argued that this results in overcharging and unfairly shifting the burden of non-edible packaging onto consumers.

Consumer groups have called for a review of the Weights and Measures Act 1972 to reflect modern retail practices and ensure transparency in the weighing of retail products, including the need for accurate net weight displays.

Source: The Star (9 February 2025)