Net weight violations made the news again this time it was Ralphs, a major grocery chain in California, being charged by the LA City Attorneys office for short weighting consumers. Not just ice-glazed seafood this time, but a range of products including deli-salads, fried chicken and coffee.

While some may be wondering if the nickel and dime approach (of course a potential fine of $256,000 is a lot of nickels and dimes!) of testing the net weight of individual packages in a grocery store is the best way to crack down on processors willing to pack product at 90, 80 or even 70% net weight, you have to admit these consumer facing stories tend to get the attention of media and the consumer.

Will charging retailers help in the quest to put a stop to net weight fraud? Only time will tell.