I have noticed that many food products on sale in the UK have changed their units of measurement.
Having just got used to the switch from imperial to metric, are we now being subjected to another change being sneaked in by the back door?
For example a couple of items in the kitchen are labelled 150 ge and (67.5g)e.
I have Googled without success but suspect that the 'e' (lower-case but in a larger font size) may have something to do with 'European'? If so, then in what way does the 'European' gram differ from the gram I am used to in Science? If there is no difference, then why the need to add the 'e'?
I was under the impression that the e was to symbolise that the weight stated is an average weight for the product (and therefore yours could be slightly heavier or lighter) - hope that makes sense.
"The weight or volume of the food. The "e" symbol next to the weight of the food gives an average weight. Individual weight or volume will vary but this should only be slightly above or below the average."
Thank you sherrardk and ChuckFickens for your prompt replies. I had never come across 'e' being used in this way in science - you live and learn.
. . . and No, ChuckFickens , The only capital I used was was at the start. This matter has formed the subject of a question in 'Suggestions' that I have just posted.
The 'e' isn't being used this way in science, it is being used this way in political/economic harmonization of food packing procedures within the European Community and was incorporated into UK legislation in 2006.