An "instant win" scratch card requires you to find three matching squares which read "free mini hi-fi stack system normally £99". In the small print you are informed that you first have to subscribe to a mobile phone service and pay two month’s bills to claim the prize. The Advertising Standards Authority has ruled that small print should only add to the main message and not contradict it, whether implicit or implied. This is worth knowing if you find advertisements that you wish to complain about.
Strict new powers to prevent companies from engaging in anti-competitive behaviour are being given to the Director General of Fair Trading (the DG). These will allow him to prohibit agreements which have the object or effect of preventing, restricting or distorting competition in the UK and will bring the law into line with Articles 85 and 86 of the EC Treaty, replacing the Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976, the Resale Prices Act 1976 and much of the Competition Act 1980. The Minister quotes as the reason for his action the involved and lengthy proceedings at present required for tackling abuses. The DG will have new powers to investigate and prohibit anti-competitive behaviour and to levy fines.
When you pay cash at the till or on the bus, especially where the exact fare is demanded, do you wonder just how many coins you can use? This particularly applies where you have accumulated 1p and 2p coins. Does the new £2 coin have its own new level? No, is the answer. The maximum amount beyond which the recipient can refuse to take your money in 1p or 2p coins is 20p; for 10p or 20p coins it is £5 while for 50p, £1 and £2 coins it is £10.
Manufacturers who accurately label food were praised by Jeff Rooker, the Food Safety Minister. He pointed out that the current practice of others who take a ‘safe’ course by adding the words "may contain nuts", because goods previously manufactured on the same production line have included nuts, are reducing the choice of allergy victims. Hygienic cleaning of the production lines should not leave behind any traces of previous ingredients and the warning is merely a way of avoiding better processing controls.
Caterers have also been warned to be more aware of the ingredients of the foods they sell and to get their suppliers to provide lists to be consulted when customer ask. A new poster, stickers and leaflets will be mailed to caterers. The MAFF Advisory Committee for the Micro biological Safety of Food has recommended that raw cow’s milk, which can contain harmful food poisoning bacteria, should no longer be sold. It has been banned in Scotland since 1983.
All loaves above 300g in weight have to be sold in multiples of 400g following the Weights & Measures (Miscellaneous Foods) Order 1988. The right of feudal Assizes to determine the weight and price of bread was replaced by the Acts of 1822, 1917, 1963 and 1976 (metric weights). The main reason is to prevent the ordinary buyer from being misled that a loaf containing 350g of dough, but which looks bigger because it contains more air, is better value than a standard 400g loaf.. Negotiations with Europe have allowed us to retain this right but the minister has now announced a consultation on whether 500g and 1,000g loaves should also be allowed. If so, it is essential that they are clearly marked with this weight in a prominent position.
Did you receive one of those adverts a while ago that promised a ‘genuine chance to improve your lifestyle’? Attached was a hand written, self-adhesive note "Working wonders for me ... knew you would be interested ‘M"’. The Director General of Fair Trading says "This was a particularly underhand promotion, and it is not the first time I have acted against this kind of deceptive advertising." Another business similarly advertised slimming products. Undertakings have been given to cease from these practices.
Stuart Coverley
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