June 18, 2009

Governor and Department of Agriculture Showcase Consumer Protection in Delaware’s Marketplaces

NEW CASTLE – Governor Jack Markell and Secretary of Agriculture Edward Kee  on Thursday highlighted the State’s commitment to consumer protection in the marketplace.  During an event at BJs Wholesale Club in New Castle, Agriculture’s Weight and Measures staff demonstrated how inspectors throughout the state work to ensure business practices in Delaware are equitable.
 
“Consumer Protection has always been important to my administration,” said Markell. “However, given today’s critical economic climate it is essential that Delaware residents, customers and businesses are protected from errors and fraudulent practices.”
 
Each day, Delawareans make purchasing decisions for items such as food, gasoline, heating oil, and packaged goods.  Many families spend over 50% of their income on items sold by weight, measure, or count.  If you drive a car, heat your home, buy packaged meat, or weigh fresh produce at the grocery store, your life has been impacted by a Department of Agriculture Weights and Measures employee.   
 
The National Conference of Weights and Measures estimates that an error of slightly more than 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons at the gas pump can equal a charge of $125 million annually. Depending on the direction of the mistake, this cost is borne by the consumer or the retailer.  
When scales, pumps and meters are not in compliance with standards, appropriate action is taken to rectify the problem.  Actions include fines, penalties, confiscation of packages and the stoppage of sales.  A team of 6 individuals from the Weights and Measurements program inspect everything from scales, to gas pumps, parking meters and much more.

Ed Kee, Secretary of Agriculture said, “DDA’s Weights & Measures inspectors are an excellent example of skilled, committed, hard working state employees.  I am very proud of the work that they do.  Since July 1, 2008, these 6 hardworking Weights & Measures Inspectors:

Inspected 3329 small scales
Inspected 276 large scales
Inspected 267 livestock/vehicle scales
Inspected 8195 gas pumps
Inspected 220 fuel oil meters
Inspected 142 Liquid Propane Gas meters
Inspected 68 grain moisture meters
Inspected 3914 lots of packed goods
Performed 144 price verification inspections (scanners)

Steve Connors, DDA Weights and Measures Administrator, and his inspectors demonstrated how to determine if gas pumps are in compliance, scales meet national standards, and how price verification inspections are performed. Connors shared, “If you think you are a victim of fraud involving weight, volume, quantity or pricing in the marketplace, the Weights & Measures staff would like to know.”