As part of their consultation exercise on the legislation implementing Directive 2007/45/EC on specified quantities for pre-packaged products, the Government also took the opportunity to consult on the particular UK legislation on fixed quantities for other, non -pre-packed products such as unwrapped bread , and beer and wine.
Unwrapped bread has been required to be sold in standard quantities for many many years; originally these standard sizes were 1lb and 2lb and multiples thereof, then during the second world war because of food shortages the standard sizes were reduced to 14oz, 28oz and multiples thereof. When metrication was adopted these became 400g, 800g or multiples.
Now however, if the proposed changes go ahead bakers will be able to produce loaves in other quantities but there will need to be some form of indication to consumers about the size of these "non-standard" loaves. Exactly what form the legislation will take, and what effect it will have on members who supply equipment to the baking industry (including in-store bakeries) we have yet to find out.
The Federation will continue to monitor the development of the legislation and will publish information as we receive it.
