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55
A sample of Smoked Rainbow Trout Paste was marked on the label on the
lid of the jar as imported, whereas on the side of the jar it was described
as "English Pate of Smoked Rainbow Trout". It therefore contravened the
Merchandise Marks Act. The sample was part of a small batch intended for
the American market, but having failed to be acceptable to the overseas
buyer was permitted to be sold on the home market. The manufacturers
agreed to amend the label for future manufacture.
The label on a jar of Horseradish Sauce claimed that it was "free from
all chemicals" and, at the same time, the presence of added acetic acid.
Acetic acid is definitely a chemical and was held to be so in the High
Court case regarding Artificial Vinegar. The manufacturers agreed to amend
their label.
A sample of Chocolate Spread was stated to contain "chocolate liquor",
but there is no such commodity. Enquiry shewed that chocolate liquor was
unsweetened chocolate couverture which had not been properly couched, and
the manufacturers agreed to amend their label to include the words
"Unsweetened Chocolate Couverture".
A Meringue Powder was incorrectly stated to contain Ethyl-MethylCellulose.
There is no such compound and the disclosure should have read
"Ethyl - or Methyl - Cellulose". The sale of preparations of this type,
however,shows how far modern progress has taken us from foods as originally
prepared. Meringues used to be made from sugar and white of eggs, whereas
methyl cellulose and ethyl cellulose possess no food value or flavour
whatever.
A Soup Flavouring was described as "a preparation of pure hydrolysed
vegetable protein only", whereas the chief constituent was salt. The matter
is being discussed with the manufacturers.
Legislation during 1954.
The most important piece of food and drug legislation passed during
the year was undoubtedly the Food and Drags (Amendment) Act, 1954, which
will not, however, come into force as such, but will be consolidated with
the Food and Drugs Act, 1938, the Food and Drugs (Milk and Dairies) Act,1944,
and the Food and Drugs (Milk, Dairies and Artificial Cream) Act, 1950. When
the Food and Drugs Act, 1938, was introduced it was intended merely to be a
consolidating Act with a view to bringing the whole of Food and Drugs
Administration to date, but the war prevented this and much piecemeal
legislation has been passed under the description of Emergency Orders.
Many writers have referred to the Amendment Act as a "Hygiene" Act, but it
was more than this. It is doubtful whether any Government is sufficiently
strong at the present time to bring in the wholesale legislation necessary
to safeguard health, if it is realised that the British have passed from
being a nation which eats freshly cooked food in the home or in small
restaurants to one which consumes food cooked days or months before it is
eaten and not always even kept in refrigerators or under sterile conditions
far much of th® intervening periods.
One of the main objects of the Act is to enable temporary legislation
to be made permanent. This accounted for much of the delay in the passing
of the Amendment Act and has retarded the introduction of the Consolidation