Standardized Description, a Form of Specification Labeling

ALL PRODUCTS have certain consumerimportant characteristics which for convenience we may call factors. Kitchen knives differ in size, shape, weight, thickness of blade, shape and material of handle, method of attaching handle to blade, and the nature of the metal in the blade. Knives are not usually packaged and the retail purchaser can judge by examination in the store all of these factors except the metal in the blade, and possibly, the material used in the handle and the method of attaching it to the blade. The major problem in labeling knives is to interpret in some way the serviceability factor of the metal in the blade. Such an element is usually termed a "hidden" factor; that is, its characteristics are not readily recognizable by the usual purchaser even upon examination. When packaged, the type of container influences the kind and amount of desirable information for consumer purposes. For example, the purchaser can observe certain factors of some foods which are packed in glass; the color of tomatoes, the size of the fruits, etc. When the container is opaque, it is the label's responsibility to supply such information. In the case of canned foods there are additional factors, the ripeness of fruit, the stage of succulency of vegetables, etc., for which labeling is necessary whether the product is visible or not.