Content list

Please scroll down the page or you can use the content list to jump to information.

• Weights and measures
• Goods non prepacked
• Goods prepacked
• Food standards
• Business names
• Special requirements
• Other leaflets available

This aims to help you comply with the Trading Standards laws that apply to farmers' markets. It is a general introduction and does not cover all products that might be sold eg honey, 'home-made' cakes/sweets, gifts, cosmetics etc. If you require more information please contact our office.

Weights and Measures

If you sell goods by weight, volume or length you need to use equipment eg weights, weighing machines etc, which have been graduated in metric units.

Equipment used to make up or check prepacked goods must be metric and suitable in that specific controls exist controlling the value of scale divisions (this prevents high capacity machines determining small values).

Goods

Non-prepacked

The general rule when selling loose goods (non-prepacked) such as fruit and vegetables, meat and cheese, is that they should be sold by net weight in metric units of measurement.

Countable produce such as apples, cauliflower, onions, beetroot can be sold by number. Carrots, spring onions, radishes and watercress can be sold by the bunch.

Prepacked

Pre-packed goods (made up in a container before sale) must be marked with the net weight in metric quantities and records maintained by the packer need to show that the prepacks contain the correct quantity.

Some goods are required to be made up in 'prescribed' quantities ie specific amounts eg bread, potatoes, jams and marmalades, honey, dried fruit and vegetables. For details contact the address overleaf.

Return to top

Food standards

Trading Standards Officers deal with the labelling of food, its composition and most cases of chemical contamination.

Generally speaking, food sold loose of or prepacked for direct sale only requires to be marked or labelled with the name of the food. This must indicate the true nature of the food to avoid confusion with similar products.

However, you may also need an indication of additives such as colours, preservatives, sweeteners and for the time being in the case of meat products a declaration of minimum % meat content.

Business names

As a general rule it is good practice to have your name and address prominently displayed on your stall.

If you are trading in a name other than you own, you must comply with the requirements of the Business Names Act 1985. You must clearly display the names and contact addresses of the owner of your business in a place where it can be seen by customers. You do not have to register with anyone or pay any fee to comply with Business Names law.Prices

Prices must be clearly displayed on the items themselves, or on relevant boxes or containers, or on a list in close proximity to the goods. It would be acceptable to have one price list detailing all the goods and prices provided it is clear and legible and easily seen by customers at the stall.

Most fruit and vegetables, meat and cheese require a unit price to be displayed ie price per kilo (numerous exemptions are applicable to this unit price requirement but those are too complicated to reproduce in full in this leaflet).

Special requirements

Some goods, such as eggs, are covered by specific legislation. If you require advice on the sale and labelling of eggs (whether free range or not) or any other products not covered by this factsheet, please contact your local Trading Standards Office).

For further advice or assistance on this or any other Trading Standards legislation, please contact your nearest office.

Return to top

Leaflets available:

• Advice to bakers on the labelling of bread
• Advice on the labelling of flour confectionery
• Business Names Act 1985
• Retail egg sales
• Guide to Food Labelling for greengrocers
• Guide to Food Labelling for fishmongers
• Guide to Food Labelling for sweet shops
• Guide to Food Labelling for honey
• Composition of meat products
• Sandwich labelling
• General labelling of prepacked foods
• Metrication and a general guide to retailers
• Pricing goods on your retail premises

This is designed to give you basic guidance. It is not a statement of law and should not be interpreted as such. For further details, please phone:

Food & Agriculture Team: 01372 371799
Fax: 01372 371704
E-mail: food.agriculture@surreycc.gov.uk

Surrey County Council
Trading Standards
Mid Surrey Area Office
Bay Tree Avenue
Kingston Road
Leatherhead
Surrey KT22 7SY

This information may be made available in an alternative language, large print, Braille, or on audio tape and computer disk.