The primary function of weights and measures regulatory activities is to ensure that equity prevails in all commercial transactions involving quantity representations. Accurate quantity representations facilitate value comparison for the purchaser and promote fair competition for industry. Assurance of full weight and measure, and elimination of fraud and misrepresentation are fundamental objectives of accurate and legal quantity determinations.

The Quantity Control Program fulfills these objectives by monitoring commerce at all levels (retail, wholesale and manufacturing) in order to minimize measurement errors in representations for both packaged and over-the-counter sales, and to ensure accuracy of commodity pricing. Inspection and investigative activities are guided by and authorized by the California Business and Professions Code (B&P Code), Division 5 and the California Code of Regulations, Title 4.

• Consumer Information Guide 
• Are You Getting Your Money's Worth? 

 

Truth About TARE

The County Sealer assures equity in the market place by monitoring for measurement errors in both pre-packaged and over-the-counter sales of packaged commodities.

On October 9, 2008, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) eliminated the Wet Tare test method utilized by the California Sealers to determine the net weight of packaged poultry and meat products. The Wet Tare method EXCLUDES the weight of liquid absorbed into packaging material or free flowing in the package when determining net weight. It has been an industry practice to add up to 30 % moisture to packaged meat products.

County Sealers are now required to utilize the Dry Tare method for determining net weight of packaged commodities. This method requires the Sealer to INCLUDE the weight of liquid absorbed into packaging material or free flowing in the package when determining net weight.

The Wet Tare method of determining net weight of meat and poultry packages EXCLUDES the weight of liquid absorbed into packaging material or free flowing in the package.

Firewood cannot be sold or advertised using the terms face cord, truck load, rick, rack, unit, tier or bundle. Firewood can only be sold or offered for sale by cord measure or fraction of the cord. When sold in quantities less than 1/8th cord it must be sold by the cubic foot or fraction of the cubic foot.

 

A cord must equal 128 cubic feet. To be sure you have a cord, stack the wood neatly by placing the wood in a line or a row (or multiple rows), with individual pieces touching and parallel to each other, making sure that the wood is compact and has as few gaps as possible. Then measure the stack. If the width times the height times the length equals 128 cubic feet, you have a cord of firewood.

To assist you in calculating the quantity of wood delivered, Sutter County Department of Weights and Measures provides an easy and convenient firewood cord calculator.

 

An invoice or delivery ticket must be presented by the seller to the purchaser. The invoice or delivery ticket should contain the name/address of the seller, the date purchased or delivered, the quantity purchased and the price of the quantity purchased.

 

If you believe the delivery of firewood is short of the quantity specified on your receipt, contact the seller to correct the problem. Try to maintain the wood in the condition when it was delivered, take a photograph, and do not burn any of the wood. If you are unable to resolve the problem with the seller, mail us a completed complaint form or contact the Sutter County Weights and Measures Office at (530) 822-7500 or the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Division of Measurement Standards at (916) 229-3000.

• CDFA News Release - Don't Get Burned When Buying Firewood
• CDFA Wood For Fuel Purpose Regulations
• Firewood Cord Calculator
• Avoid Getting Burned When Buying Firewood Brochure