Getrude Makhafola
Getrude Makhafola
Consumers were estimated to have paid R323304 more for bread over the last 12 months as a result of retailers selling underweight bread.
This is according to the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) which conducted a nationwide survey in big bakeries and supermarket in-house bakeries.
Legally, a loaf of bread should not weigh less than 700grams.
The SABS launched the two-week investigation after consumers complained that underweight bread was being sold.
This came shortly after the industry imposed a 40 cents price increase, citing increased wheat prices.
Leading the pack was the Eastern Cape with 30percent of bread inspected found to be of short measure.
It had the lowest weight with 15percent of bread surveyed found to be below the legal weight.
The following bakeries were identified as culprits:
l AIB, Mamelodi, Pretoria - 56g short on average on 700g of white bread.
l Soshanguve Spar, Pretoria - 86g short on average on 700g of brown bread.
l Glo Bakeries, Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni - 69g short on 700g of brown bread.
l Emnambithi Bakeries, Ladysmith - 62g short on 600g loaves of brown bread.
l Rainbow Bakery, King Williams Town - 68g short on 600g loaves of white bread.
l Checkers Big Bay, Seaside Village, Bloubergstrand - 40g on 700g of white bread.
l Kenworth Spar, Bloemfontein - 76g short on 700g loaves of brown bread.
"We encourage people with complaints to come forward so as to widen the inspectorate net and to ensure reduction in non-compliance," said SABS' legal metrology head Stuart Carstens.
Bakers cheat on consumers
Getrude Makhafola
Getrude Makhafola
Consumers were estimated to have paid R323304 more for bread over the last 12 months as a result of retailers selling underweight bread.
This is according to the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) which conducted a nationwide survey in big bakeries and supermarket in-house bakeries.
Legally, a loaf of bread should not weigh less than 700grams.
The SABS launched the two-week investigation after consumers complained that underweight bread was being sold.
This came shortly after the industry imposed a 40 cents price increase, citing increased wheat prices.
Leading the pack was the Eastern Cape with 30percent of bread inspected found to be of short measure.
It had the lowest weight with 15percent of bread surveyed found to be below the legal weight.
The following bakeries were identified as culprits:
l AIB, Mamelodi, Pretoria - 56g short on average on 700g of white bread.
l Soshanguve Spar, Pretoria - 86g short on average on 700g of brown bread.
l Glo Bakeries, Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni - 69g short on 700g of brown bread.
l Emnambithi Bakeries, Ladysmith - 62g short on 600g loaves of brown bread.
l Rainbow Bakery, King Williams Town - 68g short on 600g loaves of white bread.
l Checkers Big Bay, Seaside Village, Bloubergstrand - 40g on 700g of white bread.
l Kenworth Spar, Bloemfontein - 76g short on 700g loaves of brown bread.
"We encourage people with complaints to come forward so as to widen the inspectorate net and to ensure reduction in non-compliance," said SABS' legal metrology head Stuart Carstens.
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