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New sizes for alcoholic drinks and deregulation of bread sizes from 1 October 2011

27 Sep 2011

This news story covers the changes to specified quantities for non pre-packaged alcoholic drinks and unwrapped bread that come into force on 1 October 2011. The changes are made by the Weights and Measures (Specified Quantities)(Unwrapped Bread and Intoxicating Liquor) Order 2011 (SI2011/2331) and support the Government’s growth agenda by removing unnecessary restrictions which limit innovation while retaining necessary protections for consumers.

Alcoholic Drinks

2/3 pint will become a legal specified quantity for the sale of draught beer and cider served on licensed premises from 1 October 2011. Use of the new size will be optional, but its availability will provide licensees with more freedom to offer a wider range of sizes and will give consumers more choice.

Servings of glasses of wine below 75 ml will be deregulated, allowing for the sale of samples of wine for the first time.

The sizes available for the sale of fortified wines are also changing - to 50 ml or 70 ml or a multiple of either size - bringing the law into line with common trade practice.

The specified quantities for spirits are unchanged.

Bread

artisan loafs All specified quantities for unwrapped bread will be deregulated from 1October 2011. This will allow unwrapped loaves to be sold in any size and will allow for innovation in the sizes offered. For bakers who continue to offer only the traditional sizes of 400 g or 800 g there will be no need to change their existing practices. Where new sizes are adopted (i.e. sizes other than 400 g or a multiple of 400 g) information on quantity must be provided to ensure consumers have sufficient information to make informed choices.