Drained weight is a frequently used expression in the area of foodstuff production / trading. This expression is defined in the ubiquitous Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers.
If a solid foodstuff is contained within a protective liquid, the drained weight also has to be stated. In foodstuffs in jars, the coating material is not included in the stated net weight of the foodstuff.
The following products count as protective liquids, mixed if necessary and also frozen or deep-frozen, in as far as they only play a subordinate role compared to the relevant preparation’s essential components and are not crucial for sales purposes: Water, aqueous saline solutions, brine, edible acids in aqueous solutions; vinegar, aqueous sugar solution, aqueous solutions from other sweetening agents or sweeteners, fruit or vegetable water for fruit and vegetables. (EU regulation 1169/2011 Appendix IX Figure 5)
Protective liquids serve to add flavor, preserve and/or prevent foodstuffs from drying out, among other things.
The total net quantity (net weight) as well as the drained weight must be visible on the product label (according to foodstuff legislation).
Edible oils do not count as protective liquids, meaning that the oil counts as part of the total net quantity for a product in oil. However, the drained weight is also voluntarily given for some foodstuffs as well as the net weight. This is especially true for cans of “tuna in oil”.
Particular attention needs to be paid to the drained weight in the area of wholesale / retail trade as the basic price for items, the disclosure of which is mandatory, refers to this and not to the total net quantity. (PAngV [German Price Indication Ordinance] Art. 2 Para. 3)