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Johannesburg - Suppliers of bread who fleece unsuspecting consumers out of millions of rands by reducing the weight of bread, will be dealt with harshly, the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) said on Wednesday.
"There are many tricks that suppliers are doing. Many producers and suppliers are contravening bread regulations across the country," NRCS CEO Moses Moeletsi told reporters in Pretoria.
He referred to the recent bust by inspectors of numerous "Bread for You" (BFY) loaves in Wellington, in the Western Cape, two weeks ago. They were found to be lighter than the 600g weight declared on the packaging. The bread was found to weigh between 429g and 398g.
According to the Trade Metrology (the science of measurement) Act, bread could not weigh less than 5% of the declared quantity, or more than 10%.
Moeletsi said the government needed to ensure contravenors faced harsher prosecution through reviewing the act to close loopholes - which was currently happening - and should have their profits taken away, instead of being fined.
"At the moment, suppliers in contravention of the law only pay a fine, depending on the ruling by the magistrate."
He said some suppliers were fined a mere R1 000.
"There are many tricks that suppliers are doing. Many producers and suppliers are contravening bread regulations across the country," NRCS CEO Moses Moeletsi told reporters in Pretoria.
He referred to the recent bust by inspectors of numerous "Bread for You" (BFY) loaves in Wellington, in the Western Cape, two weeks ago. They were found to be lighter than the 600g weight declared on the packaging. The bread was found to weigh between 429g and 398g.
According to the Trade Metrology (the science of measurement) Act, bread could not weigh less than 5% of the declared quantity, or more than 10%.
Moeletsi said the government needed to ensure contravenors faced harsher prosecution through reviewing the act to close loopholes - which was currently happening - and should have their profits taken away, instead of being fined.
"At the moment, suppliers in contravention of the law only pay a fine, depending on the ruling by the magistrate."
He said some suppliers were fined a mere R1 000.
