Nearly 10% of bags of coal at retail premises in Northern Ireland were found to be "short-weight" in an investigation by trading standards.
Officers from the Department for the Economy’s Trading Standards Service (TSS) visited 35 stores over the past three months to check the weight of 20kg and 25kg bags to ensure consumers are getting what they pay for.
A total of 1,107 bags were checked from various packers in Belfast, Lisburn, Dungannon, Crumlin, Ballymena, Enniskillen, Newry, Dungannon, Derry and Strabane with officers finding that 103 (9.3 per cent) were short-weight.
With the average deficiency in each short-weight bag being 1kg, this equates to a consumer loss of up to 87 pence per bag. The largest deficiency of 2.7kg was found in a 20kg bag resulting in a £2.37 detriment.
TSS said further inspections will be carried and any trader found to be selling short-weight bags of coal could face enforcement action.
Judith Gough from TSS said: "Given the growing demand for coal across Northern Ireland and the continuing cost of living crisis, it is imperative that consumers do not get short changed. Many households on low incomes who have no alternative heating source will be alarmed to hear that almost one in 10 bags of coal inspected by TSS were short weight. Measurement is at the heart of fair trading and is a core issue for TSS.
"These inspections help to ensure that businesses are weighing and measuring accurately, and consumers are getting the right quantity of goods. With the current cost-of-living crisis, it is even more important that the processes and systems that should be in place are working properly, and consumers are getting what they pay for. TSS will continue to work closely with coal packers across the country to make sure that any issues of short-weight are eradicated."
- This article was amended on 13/1/2023
