EU wants groceries sold by weight

All groceries may have to be sold by weight rather than by number, bringing to an end packaging descriptions such as eggs by the dozen, six bread rolls, or 10 fish fingers.

The Government has pledged to oppose the draft EU regulations that could see even promotional offers such as eight chocolate bars for the price of six falling foul of the ban.

Last week MEPs voted against an amendment to new Food Labelling Regulations that would have allowed individual states to continue to make exemptions for certain products, so that they could still be sold by number.