Selling bread and bakery goods 

Trade Measurement laws regulate the sale of bakery lines from the time they’re manufactured or imported into Australia, to their sale at wholesale and retail markets. Bread and bakery items are typically sold prepackaged or non-prepackaged. Non-prepackaged items don't have to be sold by measurement or have any labelling.

Prepackaged bread and bakery items

Prepackaged bread and bakery items are usually required to be sold by weight. However, in some circumstances they can be sold by number or without any reference to measurement.

Items that can be sold by number

Prepackaged items that can be sold by number include: 

  • meringues
  • pastry or tart shells, for example vol-au-vents, brandy snaps or cannoli
  • pikelets or crumpets
  • taco shells.

If you sell the following prepackaged items from the same site on which they are packed, you can also sell by number:

  • biscuits and cookies 
  • bread rolls and croissants
  • fancy breads, which is bread that has not been baked in a traditional rectangle or square shape
  • rum balls 
  • slices 
  • tarts.

Items not requiring measurement or name and address labelling

Prepackaged items that are not required to be marked with a measurement or packers name and address include:  

  • single pies, pasties or sausage rolls weighing less than 250g
  • single cakes, puddings or sponges weighing less than 125g
  • hot or cold food sold on the site they are packed intended for immediate consumption.
  • any other bread or bakery item that can be sold by number, contain less than 9 items, and is in packaging that is transparent enough to see the items. 

Labelling prepackaged bakery items

Labelling requirements for prepackages include: 

  • correct weight, volume or number
  • name and street address of the packer. If you pack your bakery items on the same site where you sell them, you don’t need to include the name and address.

The labelled weight must:

  • not include the weight of any packaging
  • account for any likely moisture loss, to ensure that the item meets its labelled weight for the duration of its shelf life. 

The weight statement on the label must be:

  • clear to read, at least 2 mm from the edge of the principal display panel and at least 2 mm from other graphics
  • in the same direction as the brand or product name
  • in a colour that provides a distinct contrast with the colour of the background.

Selling by weight

When you sell bread and bakery items by weight you must ensure the measurement is accurate.

Using scales 

If you use a scale to weigh and sell bread and bakery products that aren’t pre-packaged, you must ensure that:

  • the National Measurement Institute (NMI) has approved your type of scale and any attached point-of-sale (POS) system 
  • a servicing licensee has verified your scales and POS system
  • all products are sold net weight, which means you don’t include the packaging weight such as plastic bags or trays
  • you and your staff use the scales in the correct manner, for example ensuring it’s level and indicating zero before use
  • you keep the scales clean and in good working order
  • a servicing licensee verifies the scales after each repair or adjustment.

Ensuring your scales are checked

You’re responsible for making sure the scale is correct. We recommend that you have scales checked regularly by a technician licensed by NMI. For a list of servicing licensees, email tmlicensees@measurement.gov.au.

Written statement

You must position the scales so that the customer can easily see the weighing process. If the customer is not present or can't see the scale, you must give them a clear written statement.

The statement must include the weight of each cut, on which the price is based. This statement could be on the outside of a package or on an invoice accompanying the order.

Regulating the sale of bread and bakery products

The National Measurement Act 1960 and the National Trade Measurement Regulations 2009 regulate how bread and bakery products are sold by measurement.

NMI employs trade measurement inspectors throughout Australia. We regularly inspect bread and bakery products being sold to ensure that sellers are following the correct process.

If an inspector finds that you are short-measuring your customers, you could be fined up to $313,000 per offence.

Was this page helpful?

Was this page useful?
Yes
No
Neither

Thank you for your feedback!

Would you like to tell us more about your experiences with this page? (optional)

Feedback you provide will not be directly answered. If you require a reply, please reach out to the page contact directly. For any other queries, please use our general enquiries web form.

Please do not include personal or financial information (e.g. email addresses, phone numbers or credit card details).

Your feedback is covered by our privacy policy.