- By Matthias Urbach
- Approx. Reading Time: 3 Min
Controversy arises over sausage casing: Paid twice for the wrapping material? - Battle persists over sausage casing choice
In a recent dispute over liver sausage, the question of who pays for the sausage skin and metal clip was left unanswered for years. The Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig finally settled the dispute, stating that non-edible casings and clips should not be included in the food weight.
The stance of the Administrative Court echoed an EU regulation from 1976, implying that sausage skin belongs to the product, not the packaging. However, a newer food information regulation, enacted in 2014, prohibits the sale of liver sausage with the inclusion of skin and clips in the total product weight. This led to a discrepancy in the weight, with the outer packaging stating 130 grams of liver sausage, but it actually containing less due to the weight of the clip and skin.
Judge Ulla Held-Daab, who made the final decision, explained that the amount of edible inside should match the statement on the outside, excluding non-edible casings and clips.
Old rules, new concepts: The journey of Tara
The concept of charging for only the product dates back to the origins of trade, with the word "Tara" coming from the Arabic phrase "taraha," meaning "remove." Tara represents the weight deduction for packaging, focusing on accurately calculating the weight of the product—not the packaging itself.
Over the years, there have been complaints about Tara fraud, particularly at weekly markets where packaging was weighted excessively. With the rise of supermarkets, pre-packaged goods became commonplace, minimizing such instances. However, with growing environmental awareness, customers are increasingly bringing their own packaging, creating a need for reusable containers.
The reemergence of Tara challenges
Unfortunately, Tara issues persist with the increase in reusable bags. Many new reusable bags are much heavier than their plastic counterparts, inflating the net weight of the product. This discrepancy, when combined with expensive organic products, can result in additional charges for consumers. In several test purchases conducted by the Consumer Center Baden-Württemberg, customers were overcharged due to the miscalculation of tara weight.
Addressing the Tara issue: What's the solution?
The trade association Lebensmittel BVLH asserts that Tara rules are not a source of concern. Nevertheless, consumers should ensure that the tare button is pressed when weighing items at checkout, and when using self-checkout scales, consider weighing items without a bag for precise calculations. The underlying principle remains: only the product should be paid for, not the packaging.
As for the liver sausage debate, the decision has been made: the weight inside must reflect the weight stated on the package, with non-edible casings and clips excluded from the calculation. Keep an eye out for changes in packaging policies as the issue continues to evolve with advances in technology and consumer habits.
- In the ongoing debates about packaging costs, sausage lovers may find interest in the recent ruling over liver sausage, which clarified that non-edible casings and clips should not be considered part of the food weight.
- The decision, reflecting an EU regulation from 1976, implies that sausage skin is part of the product, not the packaging. However, a newer food information regulation from 2014 prohibits the sale of liver sausage with the inclusion of skin and clips in the total product weight.
- The science behind accurate food weight, often referred to as Tara, dates back to ancient trading practices, emphasizing the importance of calculating product weight rather than packaging.
- As consumers become more mindful about health-and-wellness, lifestyle, and food-and-drink choices, concerns over Tara fraud have arisen, particularly with the rise of reusable bags.
- To ensure accurate calculation of product weight and avoid overcharging, consumers are advised to press the tare button at checkout and consider weighing items without a bag when using self-checkout scales, focusing on paying for the food, not the packaging.
