Title 47
Weights and Measures

Chapter 15
Containers

R.I. Gen. Laws § 47-15-10

§ 47-15-10. Statements of weight and measure.

(a) A statement of weight shall be in terms of the avoirdupois pound and ounce. A statement of liquid measure shall be in terms of the United States gallon of 231 cubic inches, quart, pint, and fluid ounce, and, with the exception of liquid petroleum products, shall express the volume at 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Centigrade), provided, that refrigerated commodities shall express the volume at the temperature at which the product is kept or offered for sale. A statement of dry measure shall be in terms of the United States bushel of 2,150.42 cubic inches, peck, dry quart, and dry pint. A statement of linear measure shall be in terms of the standard yard, foot, and inch. In lieu thereof, a statement of weight or measure may be in terms of the metric system. A statement of numerical count shall be expressed either in English words or Arabic numerals.

(b) Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit expressing content statements in terms of the decimal system.

(c) In addition to the quantity statements permitted by this section, liquid commodities may also be sold in containers marked one-half (½) gallon, one-half (½) pint, or one-quarter (¼) pint. Fluid dairy products may be tested by a weights and measures official on the basis of weight as prescribed by regulations of the director.

(d) In no case shall a declaration of quantity be qualified by the addition of the words, “when packed” or any words of similar import, nor shall any unit of weight, measure, or count be qualified by any term (such as jumbo, giant, full, or the like) that tends to exaggerate the amount of the commodity in the container.

History of Section.
P.L. 1966, ch. 165, § 1.