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LEGAL PROCEEDINGS - FOOD AND DRUGS ACT, 1955 -
UNSATISFACTORY PURCHASES,
Seven complaints were received during the year concerning the sale
of the undermentioned foodstuffss-
Presence of foreign matter in a bottle of milk.
Sale of mouldy chocolate gateau.
Sale of bacon infested with maggots (2 complaints
concerning two shops).
Presence of foreign matter in a cheese-cake.
Presence of string in a cottage loaf.
Sale of contaminated lemon juice.
The various adulterations were fully investigated and reported to
the Public Health and Baths Committee. In five of these cases, legal
difficulties or mitigating circumstances negatived the institution of
legal proceedings and where appropriate warning letters were sent to the
firms concerned.
With regard to the case of the bacon infested with maggots, the
Committee took a very serious view of this offence and authorised legal
action. The complainant purchased bacon from a store and when
reaching home found it to be infested with maggots. Returning immediately
to the shop the bacon was exchanged for another -J-lb., which was also found
to be contaminated with maggots.
The defendants pleaded guilty to the offence and a fine of £60 was
imposed with costs totalling £5. 5s. Od.