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The Council's inspectors accepted the voluntary surrender of foodstuffs
which upon examination was found to be unfit for human consumption. A list
of the commodities and the amount involved is shown in the statistical supplement.
Since the Meat Products Order 1952 which controlled the meat content of
sausages was revoked in 1953 there has been no legal standard for that commodity,
and although the matter has been raised in Parliament and representations
made by local authorities the position remains unchanged.
This absence of a national standard is responsible for the lack of uniformity
existing throughout the country and makes difficulties to both consumer
and trade alike. I include the trade, as I believe there are many
manufacturers who would welcome a standard fixed by statute. The sausage in
this country has become something that is sacrosanct and the aora of mystery
which surrounds its composition is boasted as a national asset. In the event
of legal proceedings being taken a Court may only be reminded of a legal
standard that was in force about four years ago; it can therefore only arrive
at a decision after hearing the evidence of trade practices and price comparison,
both of which can be misleading Prices especially are no criterion
as to quality and no one pretends that the consumer can rely on the price to
indicate the nature or quality of the constituents. However, some new legislation
of considerable importance concerning other foods was introduced during
the year.
Following a report of the Food Standards Committee of the Ministry of
Agriculture Fisheries and Food on colouring matters the Colouring Matter in
Food Regulations were brought into operation on 30th June, 1957
These regulations prohibit the sale or importation of food containing
any added colouring matter other than that specified in a permitted list, and
furthermore all colouring matter sold for use in food is now subject to
special labelling requirements.
Sampling