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matter. Everyone concerned in this case seems to be agreed that it would be desirable in the
interests both of the Trade and the Public that some standard should be fixed for cheese of
all kinds.
"It is sufficient for my purpose to say that a soft cheese which contains only 11 per cent.
to 12 per cent. fat can not properly be said to be of the nature, substance and quality of cream
cheese.
" I am also of opinion that if a person pays the same price for a soft cheese which contains
11 per cent. to 12 per cent. as he pays for a cheese which contains 27 per cent. of fat, or if he
gets a cheese which contains very much less fat than he has a right to expect in a cheese
which is described as cream cheese, that is a sale to the prejudice of the purchaser.
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An appeal was entered against this conviction and the Appeal Court not being
satisfied that " cream cheese " was asked for at the time of the purchase quashed the
conviction on that ground.
Lemon squash, lime juice, orange squash, Kola, and sparkling Valenta.
Seven samples of these various beverages were found to contain salicylic acid. In
two eases no action was taken because the presence of the preservative was disclosed
on the label. In the five others letters were addressed to the vendors and makers
pointing out the desirability of the presence of salicylic acid being disclosed on the
labels It is regretted that the makers were unable to see their way to fall in with the
suggestion made; they took the ground that such declaration is not required by the
provision of the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts It is to be hoped that as a result of the
Departmental Committee recently appointed, if preservatives are not entirely
prohibited a declaration on the label of their presence and approximate amount will be
compulsory.
Madeira Cake.
A sample of Madeira cake was found to contain boric acid. Having regard to the
circular issued by the Ministry of Health respecting boric acid in sponge cakes, giving
details of an arrangement made by the Ministry with the Bakery Allied Traders
Association, respecting the exclusion of boric acid from liquid eggs to be used in the
manufacture of sponge cakes, sponge fingers, and sponge biscuits, no legal proceedings
were instituted. A communication was addressed to the Bakery Allied Traders
Association suggesting the extension of the probibition of preservative to eggs to be
used for Madeira and other cakes which are used for children and invalids as much as
sponge cakes. The Association replied that it would be futile to make new
arrangements until the report of the Committee respecting preservatives in food is
published.
Milk.
In two cases, where fat had been abstracted, the cases were met by letters of
caution. In a third case of deficieney of fat the vendor produced a warranty and
proceedings were not continued.
In all 208 samples of milk were examined during the year. The milk was
obtained from shops, restaurants and street vendors.
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