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22
Merchandise Marks Act, 1926.
Regular inspections were carried out under this Act. In
some cases warnings were given by the Food and Drugs
Inspectors in connection with the labelling requirements for
fruit, particularly tomatoes. In no case, however, was it necessary
to take legal proceedings.
Ice Cream.
Thirty-two premises were registered for the sale of ice cream
during the year and at the end of 1952 the total number of
registrations in compliance with Section 14 of the Act was 236.
The Food and Drugs Inspectors made 749 visits to premises
where ice cream is sold, stored or manufactured.
During the year 68 samples of ice cream were taken for
bacteriological examination. The results of the methylene blue
test are as follows:—
37 samples were within Grade 1 standard
20 „ „ „ „ 2 „
4 „ „ „ „ 3 „
7 „ „ „ „ 4 „
Samples graded in I and II are considered satisfactory, but
samples graded in III and IV doubtful. It is of interest to note
that no samples coming within grades III or IV were wrapped.
In addition 105 samples of ice cream were taken for chemical
analysis, all of which complied with the standard laid down by
the Food Standards (Ice Cream) Orders, 1951/2. Under the
Food Standards (Ice Cream) (Amendment) Order, 1952, the legal
minimum fat and sugar content of ice cream was reduced. The
Order, which came into force in July, 1952, provides that ice
cream must contain not less than 4 per cent. fat, 10 per cent.
sugar and 5 per cent. milk solids other than fat. Ice cream containing
fruit, fruit pulp, etc., shall either conform to this standard
or, alternatively, the total content of fat, sugar and milk solids
other than fat shall be not less than 21 per cent. of the ice cream
including the fruit, fruit pulp, etc., as the case may be, and such
total content of fat, sugar and milk solids other than fat shall
include not less than 6 per cent. fat, 10 per cent. sugar and 2 per
cent. milk solids other than fat. "Parev" (Kosher) ice cream
must now contain not less than 8 per cent. fat and not less than
14 per cent.sugar.