2007-08-12-WeekInReview

If you've done something to promote metrication this week, add it to this post (better to add to the main content than comments).

Paul Armstrong

Busy week with catching up from being away from work for two weeks.

• Hosted Pat Naughtin at Google and posted a link to the video.
• Fixed a misconception on Wikipedia.
• Posted the PDF of the proposed labeling law changes and started to read it (thanks to JohnS for pointing out the proposed law).
• Posted Nob Hill into Company of the week and filled in their survey.
• Posted a blog entry on rational arguments and how many of the common arguments against metrication flowed equally well both ways (mostly because they were very poor arguments to begin with).
• Sent an email to Our Little Earth encouraging them to use metric.

John Steele

• Read Notice 73, Labelling and Advertising of Wines, Distilled Spirits, and Malt Beverages, and wrote a three page letter commenting on the rules to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. Main pounts:
  • Consumers need to be told the amount of alcohol per serving, not just percentage alcohol.
  • The amount of alcohol per serving should be stated in grams, not fluid ounces, just as carbohydrates, protein, and fats are stated. Recommended maximum limits on alcohol consumption should be stated in grams per day. Conceptually, it is no different than limiting intake of other non-essential nutrients such as fats, particularly saturated and trans-fats.
  • Misc. points: Serving sizes should be stated in milliliters, symbol "mL" (with "ml" permitted). Beer and malt beverages should have a required metric net contents (with or without Customary) similar to other beverages.