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32
Imported Food Regulations 1968
During the year 62 notifications were received of imported foodstuffs coming into Westminster which
had not been examined at the port of entry. Immediately notification was received a visit was made to the
premises and an examination made of the consignment.
A firm in Westminster was informed that imported canned beans they had obtained through London
Agents and supplied to a customer outside Westminster had been the subject of adverse reports as to the
tin content. There is no statutory standard limiting the presence of tin in food products. However, a limit
of 250 parts per million has been recommended by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food following
an investigation by the appropriate Government Committee into the toxic effect to the consumer of tin
content in food products. It is the limit on which any formal action would be based.
Three tins of beans of different codings were submitted to the Public Analyst for analyses. He reported
that they contained 170, 280 and 335 parts per million of tin respectively. He was of opinion that the one
with the lowest tin content would soon have reached the maximum limit and the whole consignment was
not suitable for sale. Following discussions with the company concerned, arrangements were made for the
whole consignment consisting of some 1,500 tins each weighing 6 lb. 13 ozs. to be returned to the country
of origin, and this was later effected.
In a further case drums of imported grape juice were found on analysis to contain 363 parts per million
of sulphur dioxide. The Preservatives in Food Regulations 1962 permits the presence of 350 parts per
million of this preservative. An undertaking was obtained from the importers that the juice would be
diluted by four times its volume before being made available for use. On this understanding there was no
objection to distribution taking place. The company concerned was requested to inform their principals
abroad as to the statutory requirements in relation to the preservative content allowed for grape juice.
Dessert mix examined at the port of entry was later reported by the Public Analyst to contain a blue
colouring matter which was not permitted by the Colouring in Food Regulations 1966. The retail premises
in Westminster were visited and the total consignment consisting of 34 packets was voluntarily surrendered
for destruction.
Export Certificates
Applications for Certificates of Export received in the Health Department during the year in respect of
foodstuffs to be despatched abroad numbers 10 (7).
Trade Descriptions Act, 1968/72
During the year 15 complaints were received alleging contraventions of these Acts. None of the matters
reached the stage of legal proceedings but where necessary informal action was taken under the appropriate
food legislation.
One complaint concerned a restaurant where it was stated that cooking was carried out in the French
style — 'Cuisine Francaise'. The complainant alleged that the staff and method of cooking were alien to this
declaration. A test meal of French dishes from the menu disclosed them to be cooked in 'French style' and
the cheeseboard consisted of a selection of French cheese. It was the opinion of the Health Department
Officers that the statement 'Cuisine Francaise' exhibited outside an establishment did not necessarily infer
that all food served there was prepared in the French manner. The description would apply if a particular
dish was described on the menu or had otherwise been represented as being French cuisine. A false trade
description under the above-mentioned Act is defined as being 'false to a material degree', and no
contravention of the Act or the Food & Drugs Act, 1955 was adjudged to have occurred in the circumstances
related.
Under Section 2 of the now revoked Merchandise Marks Act, 1926, certain imported goods bearing a
name or trade mark of British manufacturer or trader were required to bear an indication of origin. This
was not re-enacted in the Trade Descriptions Act 1968. The Health Department took the view that
compliance could still be secured in that the absence of a suitable declaration constituted a false trade
description under the 1968 Act. Under powers conferred by the Trade Descriptions Act 1972, pre-packed
imported foods, other than canned or bottled foods, which bear a trade mark or name which might be
taken to mean that they originated in the United Kingdom, will be required as from 29th June, 1973 to carry
a statement of their country of origin in a conspicuous position; this requirement will extend to canned or
bottled food as from 29th June, 1974.