Good Packaging Practices for Dairy Products: FTC Publication

<!DOCTYPE html>      <html class="no-js" lang="en">  <head> <meta charset="utf-8"> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge,chrome=1"> <title>Good Packaging Practices for Dairy Products: FTC Publication</title> <meta name="description" content="FTC Pamphlet: Measuring Up! Good Packaging Practices for Dairy Products."> <meta name="keywords" content="milk containers wholesale retail cartons label products retailers packagers dairies juice yogurt cottage cheese advertising law ads FTC Federal Trade Commission"> <META NAME="owner" content="JLCom Publishing Co., LLC"> <META NAME="copyright" content="1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017"> <META NAME="robots" CONTENT="all"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width"> <link href="http://widgets.twimg.com/j/1/widget.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="css/screen.css"> <script src="js/libs/modernizr-2.5.3.min.js"></script> </head> <body class="article">  <header> <nav> <ul class="clearfix"> <li><a href="http://www.lawpublish.com/">Home</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.lawpublish.com/about2.html">About Us</a> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.lawpublish.com/gbook/">Guest Book</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.lawpublish.com/sitemap.html">Site Map</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="http://www.lawpublish.com/press-releases/">Press Releases</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.lawpublish.com/hot1.html">Resources</a> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.lawpublish.com/calendar.html">Calendar of Events</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.lawpublish.com/hot1.html">Advertising Law Resource</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.lawpublish.com/doc.html">FTC Documents</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> </nav> </header> <section id="content" class="clearfix"> <table border=0 cellspacing=0 width=100%><tr><td ALIGN="RIGHT"><table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0><tr><td width="565"> </td><td> <FONT COLOR="black" FACE="Arial" SIZE=1> <SCRIPT LANGUAGE="JavaScript">  </SCRIPT> </FONT> </td> <td height=24> </b> </td></tr></table></td></tr></table> <p><center><script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script></center></p> <article class="column"> <p><CENTER><img src="ftc1_banner.jpg" alt="Advertising lawyers, including in-house counsel and outside counsel, need to comply with laws involving false, unfair and deceptive acts"></CENTER></p> <ins id="google_ads_frame1_anchor" style="border: medium none ; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; display: block; height: 0px; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 468px;"> </ins> <TABLE border=0 borderColor=#800080 borderColorDark=#0000ff borderColorLight=#0000ff cellSpacing=0 width="100%"> <TBODY> <TR> <TD align=middle bgColor=#8c8c8c width="100%"><STRONG><FONT color=#800000 face=Arial size=5>Measuring Up!</FONT><FONT color=#800000 face=Arial size=4><BR></FONT><FONT color=#800000 face=Arial size=3>Good Packaging Practices for Dairy Products</FONT></STRONG></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER></DIV> <P align=center><FONT size=2>August 1998</FONT></P><FONT face="CG Times" size=7> <P></FONT><FONT size=3>F</FONT>ederal and state agencies have recently conducted two studies of the accuracy of net content statements on cartons of milk. A 1997 study found that many containers of milk sold at wholesale and retail and many cartons of milk served in schools, universities and hospitals contained less than the amount stated on the label. Although the individual package shortages were very small, the cumulative effect of short-filling can be significant over time and across the industry.</P> <P>Following the 1997 study, federal and state agencies worked closely with industry members in an effort to improve compliance. A 1998 follow-up study shows that this effort has resulted in considerable improvement in the accuracy of net content statements on milk.</P> <P>This follow-up study also shows, however, that there is still need for further improvement in compliance levels at some dairies and packagers. When government inspectors pull under-filled containers from sale, retailers, packagers and dairies lose. What’s more, when these shortages affect the milk served with school breakfasts and lunches, there can be other consequences, too.<B><FONT size=2></P> <P></FONT></B><FONT color=#8c8c8c face=Arial size=2>Study Findings<BR></FONT>In the 1998 follow-up study, weights and measures officials across the country conducted inspections. Using procedures developed by the National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the inspectors examined the accuracy of net content labeling of over 3,300 lots of milk served in schools, universities and hospitals and sold by retailers, packagers and dairies.</P> <P>The inspections, which took place over a three-week period, found considerable improvement in the accuracy of net content labels on milk containers, compared to a year earlier. In 1997, just 55 percent of the lots of milk passed inspection. A year later, in the 1998 follow-up study, over 80 percent passed inspection.</P> <P>Still, improvement is needed. In the 1998 follow-up study, almost one in five lots of milk failed inspection. Results varied among states, with the failures ranging from four percent to 50 percent of inspected lots. Results also varied widely among packagers and dairies.<B><FONT size=4></P> <P></FONT></B><FONT color=#8c8c8c face=Arial size=2>Good Quantity Control Practices <BR></FONT>NIST Handbook 133, a guide for compliance testing of net content statements on packaged goods, includes statistical procedures that recognize reasonable variations permitted in "good" packaging practices. Although developed primarily for government use, it is valuable for companies involved in packaging, distributing and selling dairy products.</P> <P>The Handbook outlines procedures for random sampling of packages from an inspection lot. For milk, an inspection lot of gallons could include all gallons of Brand X whole milk with the same expiration date. Using NIST procedures and specific equipment, the packages are tested to determine whether they are over- or under-filled. Milk and juice must be labeled by volume in units such as fluid ounces and milliliters, and yogurt and cottage cheese are labeled by weight in units such as ounces and grams so testing is performed using precision flasks and balances. </P> <P>For the lot to pass inspection, the contents of the random sample on average must equal or exceed the amount of product stated on the label.<B><FONT size=2></P> <P></FONT></B><FONT color=#8c8c8c face=Arial size=2>Compliance<BR></FONT>The Food and Drug Administration recently proposed revisions to the regulations that govern the net content labeling on food packages. Based on NIST Handbook 133, the revisions would establish procedures for ensuring regulatory uniformity nationwide.</P> <P>State and local officials have primary responsibility for ensuring the accuracy of the net content labeling of foods on a day-to-day basis. The FDA has authority to enforce the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act for the net content labeling of foods. And the Federal Trade Commission has authority to proceed against inaccurate net content labeling of food as a deceptive practice.</P> <P>Federal, state and local officials will coordinate their efforts to monitor the accuracy of net content labeling of dairy products and juice, as well as other foods. Dairies, packers and bottling plants are encouraged to examine and voluntarily reform their packaging practices if necessary. Industry members that fail to resolve poor manufacturing practices risk government enforcement actions resulting in fines, exclusions from government contracts, or other mandates to correct their behavior. <B><FONT size=4></P> <P></FONT></B><FONT color=#8c8c8c face=Arial size=2>For More Information<BR></FONT>The following state and federal officials are available to answer your questions about state requirements for net content labeling. <UL> <LI>The NCWM has developed a detailed set of guidelines for Good Quantity Control Practices. To order the guidelines or a copy of NIST Handbook 133, contact: <BR>National Institute of Standards and Technology <BR><A href="http://www.nist.gov/owm">Office of Weights and Measures </A><BR>Building 820 (Room 223) <BR>Gaithersburg, MD 20899<BR>Tel: 301-975-4004, <BR>Fax: 301-926-0647 </LI></UL> <UL> <LI>Copies of the federal/state study are available from NIST at the address above, and the FTC: <BR>Consumer Response Center <BR>Federal Trade Commission <BR>Washington, DC 20580; <BR>Tel: (202) FTC-HELP (382-4357) <B><BR></B> <LI>The U.S. Department of Agriculture can answer your questions about school meal programs. Contact:  <BR>U.S. Department of Agriculture <BR>Food and Consumer Service <BR>Child Nutrition Division <BR>3101 Park Center One, Room 1008 <BR>Alexandria, VA 22302-1500<BR>Tel: 703-305-2590 </LI></UL> <UL> <LI>To learn more about the FDA’s proposed rulemaking on net content labeling, contact: <BR>U.S. Food and Drug Administration <BR>Office of Food Labeling <BR>200 C Street, SW (HFS 158) <BR>Washington, DC 20204 <BR>Tel: 202-205-5099 </LI></UL> <UL> <LI>To learn about industry sponsored training efforts, contact:  <BR>Carey P. Frye, Vice President <BR>International Dairy Foods Association <BR>1250 H Street, NW <BR>Washington, DC 20005 <BR>Tel: 202-737-4332 </LI></UL> <DIV align=center> <CENTER> <TABLE border=0 cellPadding=0 cellSpacing=0 width="100%"> <TBODY> <TR> <TD>You can file a complaint with the FTC by contacting the Consumer Response Center by phone: toll-free 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357); TDD: 202-326-2502; by mail: Consumer Response Center, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20580; or through the Internet, using the <U>online complaint form</U>. Although the Commission cannot resolve individual problems for consumers, it can act against a company if it sees a pattern of possible law violations. <P>The FTC publishes free brochures on many consumer issues. For a <A href="http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/consumer.htm">complete list of publications</A>, write for <B>Best Sellers</B>, Consumer Response Center, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20580; or call toll-free 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357), TDD 202-326-2502.</P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER></DIV> </table> <p><center><script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script></center></p> <p><h2>Advertising Law-Related Articles</h2></p> <dl> <dt>"<a href="http://www.lawpublish.com/12-key-advertising-related-laws-you-should-know.html">12 Key Advertising-Related Laws You Should Know</a>"</dt> <dd>This article examines 12 key advertising-related laws that you should know about before you review your ads to make sure your ads don't run afoul of these laws.</dd> <dt>"<a href="http://www.lawpublish.com/10-things-to-do-so-your-ads-comply-with-advertising-laws.html">10 Things to Do So Your Ads Comply With Advertising Laws</a>"</dt> <dd>This article discusses 10 key areas you should look at when you're reviewing your advertising to determine whether it's in compliance with advertising law's many requirements.</dd> <dt>"<a href="http://www.lawpublish.com/10-tactics-to-use-so-your-ads-comply-with-advertising-laws.html">10 Tactics to Use So Your Ads Comply with Advertising Laws</a>"</dt> <dd>This article presents 10 tactics you could use to help your ads comply with the many laws, rules, regulations and guidelines that may affect your advertisements.</dd> <dt>"<a href="http://www.lawpublish.com/10-major-advertising-law-related-concepts.html">10 Major Advertising Law-Related Concepts</a>"</dt> <dd>This article is a useful review of 10 key areas you should look at when you're reviewing your advertising to determine whether it's in compliance with the numerous laws, rules, regulations and guidelines that may affect your ads.</dd> </dl> <p><center><script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script></center></p> </article> <div id="sidebar" class="column last"> <aside> <H4>Editor's Note:</H4> <p>This page contains the full-text reproduction of FTC's Publication for Business: "Measuring Up! Good Packaging Practices for Dairy Products"</p> <p>This website is where you can find advertising law information based on articles and news briefs that appeared in past issues of <b>Advertising Compliance Service</b> as well as the full-text of documents previously found on such federal agencies as the Federal Trade Commission .</p> </aside> <aside> <H4>Our Related Website</H4> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.advertisingcomplianceservice.com/">Advertising Compliance Service</a></li> </ul> </aside> <p><center><script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script></center></p> <FONT SIZE="-1" COLOR="Red" FACE="Verdana"> <a href="http://www.lawpublish.com/ftc-advertising-disclosures.html"><em>Advertising Disclosures</em></a> <br> <a href="http://www.lawpublish.com/ftc-auction.html"><em>Auctions</em></a> <br> <a href="http://www.lawpublish.com/ftc-carads.html"><em>Car Ads</em></a> <br> <a 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Good Packaging Practices for Dairy Products: FTC Publication