Checkout price or gas pump look wrong? Utah's weights and measures inspectors
The state agriculture department inspects scales, gas pumps and checkout prices and says it responds to consumer complaints.
Utah's Department of Agriculture and Food runs a weights and measures program that checks whether commercial measurements are accurate. These details come from the program's page.
What gets inspected
Inspectors check large-capacity scales (1,000 pounds or more, such as those for livestock, vehicles and coal) and small-capacity scales for accuracy, installation and whether customers can see the display. They test all gasoline pumps for accurate measurement, check storage tanks for water and test octane. Propane delivery trucks, service-station dispensers, packages with weight, measure or count declarations and large fuel meters are also covered. [1]
Checkout prices
For price accuracy, inspectors randomly select items, record the shelf price and compare it with the price charged at the register. The program's passing score is 98% or above, which allows one error per 50 items. [1]
Raising a concern
The page says the program responds to numerous consumer complaints about weights and measures violations, and lists a phone line of 801-982-2200, open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and a mailing address of PO Box 146500, Salt Lake City, UT 84114. It does not describe a complaint procedure, and a price or measurement discrepancy is not by itself a confirmed violation or a promise of a refund. [1]
Sources
Background explainer by The Utah Ledger. AI-assisted reporting, checked against the sources above.