Small bakers and average weight
(for all nations)
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A small baker is one who does not have a fully automatic baking plant and who sells the majority of his/her production from his/her own premises or vehicles. Bread weighing more than 300g and less than 10kg is controlled and therefore loaves over 300g must weigh 400g or a multiple of 400g - for example, 800g or 1200g at the time they are offered for sale. These weights are called 'prescribed weights'.
Bread may be baked to an average weight. This means that, within a group (ie one type of loaf produced at one time), some loaves will be heavier and some slightly lighter than the 'prescribed weight'.
There are three rules, which must be met relating to the amount of permitted ‘under weight’ loaves. It is a legal requirement for checks to be carried out on the baked loaves before they are offered for sale to ensure that they pass the three rules. A record of the check must be kept for one year although most small bakers can apply for an exemption from keeping records (but they must still carry out the checks).
The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 require you to trade fairly with your customers. They ban traders from using unfair commercial practices towards consumers and set out broad rules outlining when commercial practices are unfair. They put a stop to aggressive selling techniques and misinforming and misleading people about products or services.
