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A sample of Cream Cheese contained only 15.2 per cent, of fat. Cream
cheese must not contain less than 52 per cento of milk fat, mid this sample
was therefore considered to be a skim-milk cheese and nofc a cream cheese.
The manufacturers stated that this mistake had already been brought to their
notice and was dua to the fact that the word "cream" and the Italian word
"crema" do not hare the same meaning. They were arranging to change the name
of this cheese to "Pasteurised Cheesy Paste", which would be a correct
description.
Another sample of cheese labelled as containing 4.0 per cent, of fatty
matter, contained only 21.1 per eent. of fat and, 34.9 per cent, of solids
not fat. It was, therefore, 47 per cent, deficient in fat calculated on the
cheese as sold and 8 per eent. deficient in fat when calculated an the dry
matter. The fat content was declared on the dry matter and not on the cheese
as sold. This continental method of labelling is not acceptable in this
country as it is considered misleading.
Some Rice was claimed to be high in mineral salts, phosphorus, and iron,
but the label did not shew the quantities present as required by the Labelling
of Food Order. The sanpla was satisfactory as rice but polished rice is not
high in phosphorus, iron, or vitamins. The manufacturers stated that the
wording of the label had been translated from Italian, and no more of the
product would be imported without changing the pack. The importers were
arranging for the paragraph in question to be cohered by a plain label.
A sample of Baby Rice, a powdered cooked product to be mixed with cold
milk and water, was satisfactory, but it was suggested to the manufacturers
that the directions for use should include a warning that Baby Rice should be
freshly prepared each tine before feeding a baby. The manufacturers felt, as
do your Medical Officer of Health and your Analyst, that this remark should
apply equally to all pre-cooked baby foods, and it was hoped that Public
Analysts might arrange to discuss tbs matter with the Ministry. So far this
has not been possible.
A product described as Maize Flour was incorrectly labelled and should
hawe been described as Maize Msal, Maize Grits, or Maize Semolina. Maize Flour
must be milled and bolted, but the material was sold in a cellophane bag so
that a purchaser could see what he was buying. The importers stated that the
mistake was due to the Italian word "farina" being translated into English as
"flour", and later agreed to describe their meal as "The famous Italian Maize
for Polenta".
A vegetarian Jelly Powder was incorrectly labelled as containing glucose,
whereas in reality it contained Gluconic Delta Lactone which is an anhydride
of gluconic acid. It was also claimed to contain real fruit flavour, whereas
the flavour was artificial. The manufacturers had already had their attention
drawn to the label a week earlier by another Authority, and were taking steps
to amend it.
A sample of Coffee Icing Sugar was examined because of the complaint that
it contained brown particles. These particles were found to be water soluble
particles of dried coffee and chicory extract. They were soluble in water but
not in syrup said would note dissolve when the icing was made up. Their presence
was considered to be due to improper manufacture. The label also showed an
incorrect disclosure of the presence of flavouring arid of "phosphate" without
stating which phosphate. The word "flavouring" was incorrect as coffee and
chicory extracts are expressly excluded from being flavouring materials under