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42
Beer.—One sample of Lager beer contained an excess of sulphite preservative,
the quantity found being 93 parts per million of sulphur dioxide. The limit
permitted in beer is 70 parte per million.
Cheese.—The practice of wrapping cheese in tin-foil, presumably to maintain
it in moist condition, requires to be kept under observation as in some samples
the wrapped cheese has been found to have attacked the foil and absorbed part
of the metal, thereby rendering the consumption of the cheese a possible danger
to health. One sample of this article submitted contained 3•12 grains of tin
per pound, the limit of tin usually permitted in articles of food is two grains
per pound.
Jam.—One of the samples of jam contained an excess of sulphite preservative,
the total quantity found being 75 parts per million. The limit for jam is 40
parts per million, therefore the jam in question was certified to be adulterated
to the extent of the excess of 35 parts per million.
Marmalade.—A sample of marmalade had also been found to contain an excess
of preservative amounting to 29 parts per million and was certified accordingly.
Meat Paste.—Three samples of meat paste had been preserved with sulphite
preservative, the quantities found being 41, 82 and 164 parts per million
respectively. Meat paste should be entirely free from preservative.
Sausages.—The use of sulphite preservative is permitted in sausages provided
the quantity does not exceed 450 parts per million and that due notice of the
addition is given to the purchaser on the label in the manner prescribed by the
Regulations—block letters of a certain size, etc., but in three instances no notice
was given and the amounts found being 247, 274 and 288 parts per million of
sulphur dioxide respectively, they were certified accordingly.
It may be pointed out that the reputable manufacturers of sausages who
supply the trade, or smaller retailer, do label the pounds and supply free bands
to be used when the pound is to be broken up, so that there is really no excuse
for the careless vendor.
Sausage Roll.—The sausage roll certified to be adulterated contained a trace
of sulphite preservative equal to 27 parts per million of sulphur dioxide—doubtless
owing to the fact that the roll had been made with a preserved sausage.
New Act.—The new Food and Drugs Bill mentioned in the last report has
now been passed into law and will come into force on the first day of October,
1939.
Merchandise Marks Act, 1926.
The Orders under the above Act now in force provide for the marking of the
following imported foodstufis to show their origin:—
1. Fresh Apples.
2. Raw Tomatoes.
3. Eggs (hen or duck eggs in shell).
4. Dried Eggs.