The Great Metric Boycott
Under Consumer Affairs, we record examples of the Great Metric Rip-Off. What
is needed is a Great Metric Boycott. There are several means by which
consumers can strike back against the metric downsizers.
1) Identify examples of metric product shrinkage where it is occurring, or
has already occurred. To assist you, BWMA presents a Guide to Downsizing.
Supermarkets periodically provide shoppers with "handy" cut-out-and-keep
conversion cards with slogans such as "Happy to help you move to metric". We
thought it would be more useful to provide shoppers with a guide to metric
conversion as actually applied:
Customary packaging Metric "equivalents" Actual New Sizes
SOLID MEASURES
16oz 450g or 420g or 400g 15.9oz / 14.8oz / 14.1 oz
15oz 410g / 400g / 392g 14.5oz / 14.1oz / 13.8oz
10oz 280g / 250g 9.9oz / 8.8oz
8oz 225g / 220g / 200g 7.9oz / 7.7oz / 7.0oz
5oz 140g 4.9oz
4oz 110g / 100g 3.9oz / 3.5oz
2oz 55g / 50g 1.9oz / 1.76oz
1oz 25g 0.88oz
FLUID MEASURES
1 pint 550ml / 500ml 0.97 pint / 0.88 pint
10 fl oz 280ml / 275ml / 250ml 9.9 fl oz / 9.7 fl oz / 8.8 fl oz
5 fl oz 140ml 4.9 fl oz
How to use the Shoppers's Real Metric Conversion Chart: look up metric
quantities found on the side of product packaging in the middle column.
Compare these to the first column to see what the weight may have been when
sold in traditional sizes. Look to the third column to see what the weight
is now. Then write a polite letter to the retailer or producer, asking them
to confirm whether quantities have been decreased and, if so, whether prices
were decreased, also. Post interesting responses on the Consumer Affairs
Battle Board. Products that are under current threat of downsizing include
milk (568ml/1pint to 500ml), sausages (454g/1lb to 400g), and sliced meat
(113g to 100g).
2) Write to retailers and producers that do not include UK units on their
packaging. Ask that they include British units. Do not be limited to just
food and drink but write to producers of any offending items, such as
furniture, household appliances and accessories. To assist, we provide links
to the websites or email addresses of three prime offenders.
Argos Catalogue is almost entirely metric-only. Very few UK equivalents. Ask
them to restore feet and inches.
Heinz A principal downsizer, virtually all of Heinz's products have only
metric-only labelling. Send them a complaint.
Campbell's Another can producer, again uses only metric. Ask them to include
tradtional units.
Don't delay - please email them now.
3) Write to companies and retailers that DO use traditional units, even if
only as equivalents to metric. Let them know that their use of UK units is
appreciated.
Marks and Spencers Includes UK units on much of its food produce - but not
all. Send a compliment to encourage them to extend the practice.
Budgens Has re-introduced traditional units on own-brand products - did so
before Tesco.
4) Practice Imperial Preference at all times Avoid buying foods, drinks and
other goods in metric-only packaging where alternatives exist with UK
equivalents.
John
Keiner ist hoffnungsloser versklavt als derjenige, der irrt�mlich glaubt
frei zu sein.
There are none more hopelessly enslaved then those who falsely believe they
are free!
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832)
