Issue Date:  -  Friday, 18 March 2005

Action ‘takes the cake’

Action Supermarkets Pty Ltd prosecuted on underweight offences

In the Court of Petty Sessions, Action faced a total of 58 breaches of the Weights and Measures Act 1915 for selling pre packed cake weighing less than the weight stated on the packaging.

“This is not Action Supermarket’s first offence for short weight packing.  In August 2004 the Leda store in Kwinana was fined for short weights concerning pre packed meat products,” Consumer Protection Commissioner Patrick Walker said.

Action Stirling produces all the pre packed cake for Action stores in the metro area.  At Action Stirling the practice was to divide a 7000g slab of cake into eight to produce an 800g package of cake.  There was no weighing done on an individual package to determine its net weight after it had been baked and prior to going to sale. 

“Consumers rely on the honesty and accuracy for those responsible for weighing and packaging goods to ensure that they get a fair deal. 

“I have instructed our Weights and Measures field officers to be very vigilant and to take seriously every instance of under weight goods discovered on our regular random checks of traders.

“We are very grateful for assistance from consumers who report underweight concerns to us, and I can say with confidence that their efforts help us to ensure that people get what they pay for,” Commissioner Walker said.

Action has now reduced the stated weight on their pre packed cake by up to 200g. 

Consumer Protection can be contacted by phoning 1300 30 40 54.