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93
The new Sale of Food and Drugs Act, 1899, came into
operation on January 1st, 1900, and is an important
measure, amending and enlarging the scopes of the Food
and Drugs Acts of 1875 and 1879, and the Margarine Act,
1887; the controlling and supervisory powers of the Local
Government Board being considerably increased, and
similar powers given to the Board of Agriculture in respect
of milk, cream, butter, cheese, margarine, &c., when these
goods are of home production. In the case of imported
goods such as mentioned above, the Commissioners of
Customs take the necessary samples, as directed by the
Treasury.
The term "food" is made to include any article which
ordinarily enters into or is used in the composition or
preparation of human food, amongst which are to be
reckoned flavouring matter and condiments.
The Margarine Act is extended to Margarine-cheese,
which means any substance, whether compound or otherwise,
which is prepared in imitation of cheese, and which
contains fat not derived from milk; and to cheese, which
means the substance known as cheese, containing no fat
derived otherwise than from milk. Wholesale dealers in
Margarine (as well as manufactories) require to be regisfered.
Slight alterations as to the procuring of samples (in
transit, course of delivery, or otherwise) are made, as also
in connection with the labelling of margarine, or margarinecheese,
which labelling must now be on the package itself.
Any vehicle or receptacle from which milk (or cream)
is sold, must have conspicuously inscribed thereon the name
and address of the person so selling in any public place;
while notice must be given (by means of a clearly visible
label) whether condensed milk on sale in tins or other