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67
Seven specimens out of a total of eleven of various types
of cream confectionery were reported adulterated on account
of the use of cream substitutes as a filling material. Proceedings
were instituted in respect of four samples and
convictions were obtained in each case, the total of penalties
inflicted amounting to £12 2s. 0d.
It has been the custom for a number of years in the trade
to use substances resembling cream as a filling for certain
types of confectionery and the view of your Analyst is that
no exception can be taken to this custom provided that no
claim, actual or implied, is made that the substances so used
are cream. The use of such terms as " cream buns " or
" cream sponge sandwich " are calculated to deceive the
purchaser and it is a very debatable point as to how far the
word cream can legimately be employed in the generic sense
instead of the specific sense. There is no doubt, however,
that the very large majority of purchasers of this confectionery
buy it under the impression that the cream filling
really is cream.
In the cases already quoted the articles were sold as
" real cream " buns, cakes, &c., hence there could be no
two views as to whether deception was intended or not.
It would certainly appear that the former reluctance of
Local Authorities to prosecute vendors of this fictitious
cream confectionery has recently been taken advantage of,
for not only is there a much larger quantity of such produce
now on the market, but some vendors of it have become
bolder and to deceive the purchaser more completely have
descended to the use of such terms as " real cream."
Others, again, use such names as " creamy buns " for their
produce and thus avoid prosecution whilst still artfully
practising the same deception.
Butter, Margarine, Lard and Suet.
Thirty-one samples of butter, ten of margarine, seven of
lard and one of beef suet were analysed and found to be
genuine, no excess of water or addition of foreign fat being