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The offences against the Sale of Food and Drug Acts, other than
adulteration, consisted in all eases of margarine being sold to the
purchaser in an unstamped wrapper.
In two cases summonses were withdrawn before the hearing,
owing to a technical error in the designation of the defendants.
In thirteen cases no summonses were issued, the committee
exercising the discretionary powers vested in them and cautioning the
vendors in each case. The cases were as follows: —
In three casts the sample was obtained from a very small quantity
of milk left in counter-pan after being constantly dipped from for some
hours, there being a deficiency in butter-fat. In two cases margarine
was served for butter in plain paper but from a slab marked
"margarine." In the case of two milks and one butter the percentage
adulteration was two small to warrant proceedings. In another case
chocolate powder was served for cocoa, but from a well-labelled tin.
In one case of adulterated milk a notice displayed in the shop protected
the vendor. In the remaining case margarine was sold for butter,
but the paper wrapper was clearly marked "magarine."
All five dismissals of summonses were owing 0 successful
" warranty" defences being set up in the case of adulterated or
skimmed milk.
The twelve summonses were withdrawn for the following
reasons: —
In eight cases convictions were obtained upon other summonses
in respect of the same sample.
In one case it was known that a "warranty" defence would be
set up, after the issue of the summons.
Two cases are mentioned above.