I have noticed that Tesco sells its own-label milk in plastic containers marked in "pints" or fractions thereof. Today, I saw a milk produced under the tradename "Cravendale" also in plastic containers, but marked ONLY with metric volumes,ie "2 litres". I have been told that milk in non-returnable containers MUST be sold in metric volumes only. Is this correct?

Allan Tallett

Under the 1994 regulations, milk must be sold in quantities of 250ml, 500ml, 1 litre, 2 litres, etc OR
284ml, 568ml, 1,136ml, etc. The odd numbers of millilitres represent precise imperial units of half a pint, 1 pint, 2 pints, etc.

Although milk producers may sell in imperial quantities, the containers may not be sold or described in imperial terms. They have to be sold by the metric equivalent. They can, however, add the imperial quantity as a "supplementary indication" alongside the metric indication.

Cravendale can be added to the list of those which have converted their carton sizes.