For Immediate Release, May 3, 2021

Weights & Measures, the division at the Minnesota Department of Commerce, which ensures accuracy of products sold by weight, measure or count, has been conducting inspections throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. During the first quarter of 2021, Weights & Measures inspected 18,169 scales and meters in 1,045 business locations across Minnesota, including food scales in grocery stores, fuel quantity and quality checks at service stations, and industrial scales at grain elevators. 

“Weights and Measures Division is an exemplary model of state government. Our staff have been working throughout the pandemic to ensure consumers are protected every day at gas stations, grocery stores and anywhere that products are sold by weight or volume,” said Commerce Commissioner Grace Arnold. 

Weights & Measures inspectors work across the state, recently inspecting scales from Lakeville to Ortonville, Eden Prairie to Eden Valley, and more than 340 cities and towns in between. Consumer savings are realized in the form of paying precisely what you buy at the gas pump, at the deli, meat market, grocery or C-store, at a hardware store, a candy store, grain elevators and flour mills. The accuracy checks also protect businesses to ensure fair payment for any products that are weighed or measured.  Learn more about how Weights & Measures protects both consumers and business: Weights & Measures Fact Sheet

Commerce inspectors leave an approval sticker on each scale as a sign of accuracy for both customers and store owners In Fiscal Year 2020, Weights & Measures tested more than 28,500 fuel and diesel meters at gas stations, bulk plants and terminals, more than 4,600 grocery, food and hardware scales, and calibrated more than 13,312 objects at the Weights & Measures Metrology Lab.

About 14 percent of devices, audits and packages – or one in seven items inspected – needed corrections because of Weights & Measures inspection findings, and 9 percent were removed from the marketplace.

For fuel inspections, Commerce inspectors check quantity and quality of petroleum products, and also check that credit card readers at the pump have not been illegally fitted with skimmers used to steal credit card information.

Scales and pumps are inspected about once every two years, or in response to a consumer complaint. Submit consumer complaints to Weights & Measures online, by telephone 651-539-1555 and email complaints.commerce@state.mn.us. Complaints should include information about the problem, including the identity of the product purchased and the name and address of the business where the product was purchased. For gasoline complaints, note the specific gas pump as well.

With You Every Day

The Minnesota Department of Commerce mission is to protect all Minnesotans in their everyday financial transactions by investigating and evaluating services, and advocating that they be fair, accessible and affordable. Wherever you are in Minnesota, the Department of Commerce is with you every day. Whether you’re filling up on gas, purchasing a home, working to reduce energy consumption or rebuilding after a disaster—we are with you, no matter what. The Minnesota Department of Commerce oversees more than 20 regulated industries, ensuring that Minnesota businesses are strong and Minnesota consumers are protected. Learn more at mn.gov/commerce. 

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Mo Schriner, Director of Communications
651-363-1227  |  mo.schriner@state.mn.us 

Brian Strub, Assistant Director of Communications
651-370-3565  | brian.strub@state.mn.us