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Some canned yellow beans contained 7 parts instead of a maximum of 2 parts per million
of lead. The label of a pepper puree was incorrect as the product contained 4.65 per cent of acetic
acid, which was not declared, and some canned green peppers contained 3.5 per cent of salt,
which was not declared, while the label also carried an illustration of a variety of mixed vegetables
not included in the pack.
The label of an orange concentrate was incorrect, the minimum contents and the words
"Product of Denmark" being almost illegible.
Adverse reports were made on several blackcurrant drinks. Two purporting to be equal to
the best blackcurrant health drinks contained not more than 20 per cent, and 10 per cent, of
blackcurrant juice respectively. A product labelled "Blackcurrant juice* contained only 44 per
cent of fruit juice and the importers agreed that this had been improperly labelled. A label
"Triple Vitamin C enriched blackcurrant health drink" was probably a true statement of fact, but
was completely misleading because it also claimed that the product was "Made from real blackcurrants
with extra glucose and Vitamin C enriched". The words "Permitted artificial sweeteners
added" were almost illegible. The best blackcurrant syrups contain 45 per cent not 10 to 20 per
cent of juice. The blackcurrant juice in three samples of blackcurrant flavoured sugarless pastilles
was negligible, and the illustration of blackcurrants on the label was particularly misleading,
because blackcurrant pastilles are employed on account of the supposed emollient effect of
the juice.
The ash of some fenugreek was 8.15 per cent and the acid-insoluble ash 3.38 per cent
showing that the sample contained an excessive quantity of mineral matter. The ash should not
be more than 6 per cent nor the acid insoluble ash more than 2 per cent.
A sweet pickle was stated to contain "Solution of acetic acid" as an ingredient, but solu
tion of acetic acid is not a definite product.
A piece of cane stated to have been found in a bag of potato chips was saturated in oil,
but it was impossible to say whether it had actually been cooked with the chips or not, as it
may have gained access to the chips whilst they were still hot.
A raspberry vinegar contained added carmoisine colouring matter not declared and the
product possessed the flavour of badly overcooked raspberries; and jars of infant food and apricot
jam were found to be mouldy when opened and the lid on the latter appeared to have become loose
and was badly dented by blows it had received.
Beverages taken from a machine were the cause of complaints, but analysis showed that the
tea, coffee and cocoa powder used possessed very little aroma and it was not surprising that complaints
had arisen regarding beverages taken from a machine using them.
A complaint was received about the perfume odour of some tea, which had no doubt been
placed near a perfumed product such as soap, but it was impossible to say whether the contamination
had taken place before or after purchase.
A liquid cochineal was coloured with carmoisine and amaranth and although these ae permitted
colours, they are not natural to cochineal.
The tube containing some effervescent aperient was broken and as a result the tablets
were deficient in carbon dioxide. If, as the purchaser maintained, these tablets had only been
bought two days previously the tube must have been broken for some time before being sold as
the effervescent properties had been largely destroyed.
An ingredient of a cherry cough linctus was incorrectly declared as "Liquor Ribra", but as
the manufacturers stated they had withdrawn the product from sale, no further action was necessary.
The labelling of a nerve tonic showed various abbreviations which were incorrect and the
manufacturers agreed to amend their label.
An Indian Brandee was also considered to be incorrectly labelled, but as the manufacturers
stated that they no longer manufactured this product the matter was left. The label of a Vitamin
preparation described as "Vitorage" showed illustrations of oran ges, but the product was made
with tartaric and not citric acid. The words "Rgistered trade mark" was also illegible.
A "Rock salt" foot cream contained 51.4 per cent of oil of turpentine and only 0.03 per cent
of salt. Terpentine was essentially the active ingredient and the name was completely unwarranted.
The label bore no list of ingredients as required.by the Parmacy and Medicines Act, 1941,
and yet claims were made for its use for the treatment of various complaints.
A greenish colour formed on the chalk fur in some water was the subject of complaint, and
probably resulted from copper pipes or an Ascot-type water.heater.
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