A Scrambled Idea from The European Union

"Pick up a dozen eggs" is familiar supermarket shorthand the world over, but if legislators in the European Union get their way, it might become an outdated expression. In an effort to standardize labeling, the European Parliament wants to stop labeling foods by number. To protect consumers, they say, labels should display weight or volume -- not the number of items in a pack.

Makes sense in theory, but in practice, it goes against years of consumer habits, and English politicians are fighting back. "We know what customers want," UK Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman told the BBC. "They want to buy eggs by the dozen and they should be allowed to -- a point I shall be making clear to our partners in Europe."

EU countries currently have exemptions that allow some pre-packed foods (like eggs or rolls) to be sold by number alone. Changing this practice could cost business owners in a big way. Conservative MEP Syed Kamall warned that "millions of pounds could be wasted by shops and bakers having to change packaging just to comply" with the new legislation, and the UK Federation of Bakers is protesting that bakeries would have to invest in expensive new weighing equipment. It says customers understand that "no two rolls are the same."

But there is hope for common sense. While Parliament rejected an earlier amendment reading: "In the case of foodstuffs normally sold by number, member states need not require indication of the net quantity provided that the number of items can be clearly seen and easily counted from the outside or, if not, is indicated on the labeling," Labour Party leader Glenis Willmott thinks public pressure will win the day. He told the BBC, "We fully expect the exemption to be in the final version."

Another possible solution? Sell items labeled with both weight and number. Since so many countries comprise the Union, it's the best way to encompass all of the culinary traditions, says Danish Parliament member Christel Schaldemose. "We still have different cultures for food in Europe - we should allow member states to do something specific," she told the BBC.

Whatever it takes to keep our beloved numbered eggs in the lexicon. Asking your husband to "pick up 684 grams of eggs at the store" just doesn't have the same ring to it.