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81
Public Health (Preservatives, etc., in Food) Regulations,
1925 to 1927.
With few exceptions all samples taken under the Food and
Drugs (Adulteration) Act were examined for the presence of preservatives.
One sample of pork sausages and seven samples of beef
sausages were reported to contain a permitted preservative, viz.,
sulphur dioxide.
In 6 instances the amount of preservative contained in the
samples was below the maximum amount allowed under the
Regulations, viz., 450 parts per million. These sales were, however,
effected without a declaration of the presence of a preservative,
either by a label with the articles, or by a notice conspicuously
exhibited in the shops to this effect.
The appropriate Committee directed that cautions, in writing,
be sent to the vendors.
In the two remaining cases, the Public Analyst reported that
the beef sausages contained respectively 601 and 455 parts of
sulphur dioxide, both being in excess of the maximum amount
allowed.
Although purchased from different retailers these sausages were
supplied by the same wholesale firm.
The Public Health Committee instructed that proceedings be
instituted against the wholesale firm. Two summonses were issued
and resulted in the defendants being discharged under the
Probation of Offenders Act, but ordered to pay £5 5s. costs on one
summons.
Merchandise Marks Act, 1926.
The Council is responsible for carrying out the provisions of
this Act in respect of foodstuffs which are subject to Orders in
Council, but excepting any provision relating to importation.
The Sampling Officer and the Food Inspector have been
authorised to act as Officers for these purposes. The Orders which
have been made relate to honey, fresh apples, currants, sultanas,
raisins, eggs in shell and dried eggs, oat products, raw tomatoes,
malt products, salmon and sea trout, butter, bacon and ham,
dead poultry, maize, starch, frozen mutton, lamb, pork, beef
and veal, edible offals, chilled beef, boneless beef and veal, salted
beef and pork.
In those cases where the provisions of the various Imported
Goods Orders (Marking Orders) were not being observed, cautions
either verbally or in writing were administered.
In 7 instances cautions in writing in respect of dried fruit
(4) and butter (3) were sent to seven traders who had failed to
comply with the various marking orders. In no instance was it
found necessary to institute proceedings.
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