The guidelines for stating the net quantity of contents on combination packages containing both liquid and solid products are as follows:

1. The declaration of net quantity of contents for a combination package shall be expressed in terms of fluid measure for individual products that are liquid and in terms of avoirdupois weight for individual products that are solid, semisolid, or viscous, provided the quantity statements for identical packages or units are combined. For example, the fruit drink would be expressed in fluid measure and the meat, cheese, crackers, and cookies would be expressed in the combined avoirdupois weight.

2. The declaration of quantity shall be preceded by one of the following terms, as appropriate: "Net Weight," "Net Wt.," or "Net Contents."

The net quantity of contents declaration may appear in more than one line. Therefore, both stacked and side-by-side declarations would be considered appropriate.

- Descriptive terms may be used to identify the liquid and solid components of the package, e.g., entree, meal, or drink; however, such terms shall not include brand names.

- Connecting words such as "and" or "plus" are permitted to be used as part of the declaration of contents.

Examples of acceptable net content declarations are as follows:

(1) Entree Net Wt.8 oz., Drink 4 fl. oz. (120ml)

(2) Net Contents: lunch 8 oz. plus fruit drink 4 fl. oz.

(3) Net Wt.8 oz. Drink 4 fl. oz. (120ml)

(4) Net Weight 8 oz. and 4 fl. oz.

Federally inspected meat and poultry products are exempt from the requirements of the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA), including the mandatory metric labeling provisions that went into effect February 14, 1994. However, if metric labeling is included voluntarily, such labeling should comply with the FPLA.

The guidelines contained in this policy memo will be subject to the provisions prescribed in 9 CFR 317.2(h) and 9 CFR 381.121 of the Federal regulations.

See: Policy Memo 124 dated January 17, 1995