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(d) Vinegar.
Most of the vinegar sold in this country for domestic purposes is either malt vinegar or artificial
vinegar.
The former is derived wholly from malted barley or other cereals and is sometimes sold under the
designation "Table vinegar." Artificial vinegar consists of acetic acid and water coloured by the
addition of caramel. Artificial vinegar is seldom sold as such ; it is usual to describe it as "Wood
vinegar," probably because acetic acid is sometimes derived from the distillation of wood.
During 1935 several samples sold as "Table vinegar" were found upon analysis to be artificial
vinegar, whilst a number of samples of artificial vinegar were sold under labels describing them as
"Wood table vinegar." From what has been said above it will be appreciated that "wood" and
"table" constitute a contradiction.
The public health committee had before them a report on the subject of vinegar in March, 1935,
and they decided:—
(i) That where artificial vinegar is sold as "Table vinegar" proceedings should be taken
against the vendor;
(ii) That where artificial vinegar is sold as "Wood table vinegar" a letter should be sent to
the vendor in the first place and proceedings taken subsequently if the letter does not
have the desired effect; and
(iii) That vendors should be informed by circular that where vinegar is demanded it will be
regarded as an offence if artificial vinegar is supplied.
Since these decisions were put into effect, the sale of artificial vinegar as table vinegar in
Kensington has ceased, although there is recent evidence that the old misleading terms are coming
into use again.
(e) Sweets.
Crystallised Orchard Fruits—Crystallised and glace fruits are imported chiefly from France,
especially for the Christmas trade. They are sold in small flat wooden and cardboard boxes and
are rather expensive.
During the past year it has been observed that many grocers are selling a sweet-meat consisting
of flavoured jellies (but containing no fruit) in boxes similar, both as regards shape and labelling,
to those in which genuine crystallised fruits are sold. There is nothing on the labels to indicate the
true nature of the contents of the boxes, and there is little doubt that many members of the public
purchase these articles in the belief that they are buying crystallised fruits.
This type of misrepresentation was brought to the notice of the public health committee, and
in accordance with their instructions a letter has been sent to Kensington traders notifying them
that after the 1st April, 1937, proceedings will be taken in all cases where sweetmeats are sold as
crystallised fruits.
White Milk Chocolate—Another type of wrongly labelled confectionery which has been offered
for sale in local shops is that described as "White milk chocolate." This article is prepared wholly
from milk, cocoa fat and sugar, and is devoid of fat-free cocoa matter, an essential ingredient of chocolate.
Cocoa fat is a constituent of the cocoa bean and is extracted before cocoa is manufactured ;
it is almost a waste product.
Two samples of white milk chocolate were reported during the year, and warning letters were
sent to the vendors.
(f) Wines.
"Sherry," "Tarragona" and "Port" are words which should be used exclusively in respect
of wines imported from certain foreign countries, and therefore the descriptions "British Sherry,"
" British Tarragona " and " British Port " each constitute a contradiction in words.
An important decision regarding labels containing contradictory words was given in the High
Court. A wine merchant was prosecuted for selling as "Fine British Tarragona" a wine which was
found to consist of 85 per cent, of British wine made from imported raisins and 15 per cent, of wine
imported from Tarragona. In the lower court the magistrate dismissed the summons, as he considered
that the label truly described the contents of the bottle ; but on appeal it was held that the
label was a false one, as it assumed too high a standard of knowledge in the public, who might not
see anything antagonistic in the words "British" and "Tarragona."
(g) Drugs.
Iodine Preparations.—Several samples of iodine preparations have been purchased in Kensington
and the labels used to describe the article have been misleading.
It will suffice if one typical case is quoted. A sample was sold in a bottle bearing two labels,
one on each side of the bottle. On one label were the words "Iodine Paint" ("Iodine" in large