Until last month, packets of Mint Imperials, Murray Mints and Everton Mints, as produced by Trebor Bassett, contained 8 ounces, the traditional weight for bags of confectionery packets. However, over the past few years, Trebor Bassett has removed all references to 8oz from the bags and displayed instead only the metric equivalent - "227g".

Last month, we discovered why. Trebor has re-launched its range of mints with colourful new " Fundays" packaging that conceals one fundamental difference - the new bags weigh only 200g - the equivalent of just 7 oz. Yet, prices remain the same.

In other words, conversion from imperial to metric has given Trebor the opportunity to slip in an overnight price increase of 13%, not noticed by most consumers since the price rise has been achieved by a weight reduction rather than an increase in the actual price paid.

Trebor's metric downsizing is only the latest example in a long line of metric scams; for instance, Heinz reduced their cans of beans from 16oz to 14.8oz (disguised as "420g"); Mattessons reduced packets of sliced ham from 4oz (113g) to 100g; and Bostic reduced tubes of glue from 2oz (57g) to 50g. Many milk producers have replaced pints of milk with 500ml cartons, containing 12% less milk than the full 568ml..

The British Weights & Measures Association calls on Trebor and other producers to restore traditional quantities and to put customers first. Recent proposals by the European Commission will allow British firms to use English units alongside metric for at least another ten years. Producers should therefore make maximum use of this change and display traditional units on packaging. These are the units that the vast majority of consumers want and understand.

For further information CONTACT: Mr Vivian Linacre, BWMA Director 45 Montgomery Street, Edinburgh EH7 5JX (Tel. & FAX: 0131 556 6080)

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