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3. The use of preservatives so far as they are permitted should be
upon the condition that the nature and quantity of the preservative
present in the article of food should be declared in a manner prescribed
by the Minister of Health. In cases in which the declaration of the
preservative might be difficult to enforce or might result in undue harm
to the industry without compensating advantage to the consumer, exception
to this requirement might be made, but the exception should in no
circumstances apply to sausages.
4. The employment of a copper salt to colour or preserve the colour of
peas and other vegetables should be prohibited.
5. A schedule should be issued by the Minister of Health after such
inquiry as is necessary of colouring matters the use of which may be
considered non-injurious to health, such schedule to be subject to amendment
or extension from time to time as occasion may require. Within a
suitable period after the publication of this list the use of any other
colouring matter should be prohibited unless and until it shall have
been approved by the Minister.
6. Before the prohibition of preservatives or of colouring matters in
food (including the use of copper salts for the so-called greening of
vegetables) is enforced, a period of grace should be allowed sufficient to
enable manufacturers and importers to adjust their methods and processes
and to allow stocks to be cleared.
7. Improved methods in the storage and transport of food by rail, road
and water, especially as regards the use of refrigeration and cool air
storage, are urgently required.
8. It should be provided by law that any Regulations or Statute prohibiting
or limiting the use of preservatives and colouring matters should
bind the Courts in proceedings taken under the Sale of Food and Drugs
Acts in respect of their use.
9. An amendment of the law is required to render more expeditious
the prosecution of a person actually responsible for offences under these
Acts, where a warranty defence is pleaded.
10. Further powers of control by registration, licensing or inspection
should be given to Local Authorities in relation to all places concerned
in the production, sale, storage and distribution of food.
CIRCULAR 553.
This Circular was issued in December, 1924, by the
Ministry of Health and deals with the taking of samples
under the Public Health (Dried Milk) Regulations, 1923.
An instance has been brought to the notice of the Department
in which a part of a sample of dried milk taken under
Article 5 of the Public Health (Dried Milk) Regulations,
1923, was placed in a paper envelope. The consequence was
that by reason of the absorption of water from the atmosphere
into the dried milk and of fat from the dried milk
into the envelope the result of the analysis would not
represent the actual composition of the article at the time of
sale. It is desirable that samples of articles of this character
should be placed in securely sealed bottles or other nonabsorbent
and air-tight containers, so that there may be no
material change in the composition of the sample between the
time of purchase and the time of analysis.