Information for butchers
(for all nations)
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There are various legislative requirements for butchers, including pricing marking, weight control and weight marking of products sold loose or pre-packed by retail sale. In addition to these, there are new rules which replace specific legislation on false trade descriptions and misleading price indications that have been designed to protect consumers from unfair sales and marketing practices so that traders will have to act in a way that enables the average consumer to make free and informed purchasing decisions.
Pre-packed items must be marked with a statement of net weight in metric units. Non pre-packed items can be sold either by net weight or gross weight. The customer must be informed of the weight before paying for and receiving the goods. In general, all foods, whether pre-packed or non-pre-packed, must be priced. Customers must be able to see the price indication without asking for assistance.
The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 require traders to trade fairly with their customers. They ban traders from using unfair commercial practices towards consumers and set out broad rules outlining when commercial practices are unfair.
