Net quantity is the amount of food contained in a prepackage, expressed in mass for solids and volume for liquids, declared in metric units and regulated under EU rules on nominal quantities and average fill for prepackaged goods.
In trade practice
Packers must verify fill weights against the requirements of Directive 76/211/EEC and its successor rules, using calibrated scales and statistical sampling at the line. Buyers check declared net quantity against actual weight on goods-in inspection, and discrepancies can trigger rejection or short-weight claims. A common error is confusing net quantity with drained weight for products packed in liquid, which must be declared separately where applicable.
In a specification
Purchase specifications and label briefs should state the declared net quantity, the unit of measure, and the permitted tolerance band, referencing the applicable nominal quantity rules.