Departments

Community Services

Consumer Protection

Metric Information Advice to the Consumer

• Buy solid commodities by weight or dry measure rather than by count, whenever possible.
• Check the unit price (price per pound, per quart, etc.) of what you buy.
• Learn to read scale and meter indications, and make sure you watch the weighing and measuring of your purchases.
• On unit-priced items, make sure you are paying the correct price for the quantity received.
• Package size can be deceptive. Read and compare labeled quantities in relation to price.
• Demand accurate weight and measure in your purchase in the same way you would demand accurate change from the cashier.
• Use the scales that some stores provide to check the weights of your purchases.
• Become acquainted with your local or state weights and measures department, and consult them if in doubt on any weights and measures questions.
• Report suspected inaccuracies or violations of weights and measures laws and regulations to your local or state weights and measures office.

Helpful Information

• The Metric System
• Everyday Metric Units
• Useful Measurement Equivalents
• The Metric System in the Kitchen
• Equivalents of Common Units of Measure Used in the Kitchen
• Approximate Weights of Some Common Household Products In Avoirdupois Ounces per Cup
• What will the Metric System Mean in the Marketplace?