Markus Kuhn wrote: >"Carl Sorenson" wrote >>Is there much dual labeling in Australia? England? > >Grocery shops: In England, there is still dual labeling of >beer/cider/milk because the use of pints is still allowed >for these three product groups)
Legally speaking, the use of pints is still *allowed* on labels for almost any product in the UK. The question is whether pint-only labels are permitted and whether pint sizing is permitted... I decided to come back to the group after updating my 'Rules wizard'. I can't resist contributing to such an interesting topic. For 'prepackaged' beer: As I understand it... Labels must have a metric indication. They can be metric-only or dual. Imperial-only labels are forbidden. Package sizes can be either metric or imperial. However, the 1985 regulations are too old to be online reference so please feel free to correct me. For 'draught' beer: Serving sizes must be imperial-only. Metric servings are forbidden. The mandatory price indication in the bar must have an imperial indication. It can be imperial-only or dual. Metric-only price indications are forbidden. For 'milk in returnable containers' (e.g. glass bottles) Sizes can be imperial or metric. Labels can be imperial-only, metric-only, or dual. The continuance of imperial-only options for this product is due to a cultural feature. Almost everybody in Britain used to get milk delivered by hand each morning to the doorstep. It was occasionally marketed as the 'pinta' although I never heard anyone other than actors in adverts use this term. It is whole topic in itself. 'Ernie the fastest milkman in the west' was not just a funny Benny Hill song. For 'milk in non-returnable containers' (e.g. cardboard, plastic) Labels must have a metric indication. They can be metric-only or dual. Imperial-only labels are forbidden. Package sizes can be either metric or imperial. Retailers were slow to introduce metric milk sizes and metric-only labels presumably because of psychological leakage from the doorstep pint issue. However, they now appear to have got over the reluctance and metric only milk (label and package size) is increasingly common. In summary, the intent of the regulations was only to exempt the (politically sensitive) pint of draught beer drawn by hand in a pub and the pint of milk delivered by hand to the doorstep. Bottled beer and milk bought in shops are subject to similar rules to any other product. The regulations are spread across several instruments but see: http://www.hmso.gov.uk/si/si1994/Uksi_19942868_en_2.htm -- Terry Simpson Human Factors Consultant [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.connected-systems.com Phone: +44 7850 511794
