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35
declared, nor was the usual declaration exhibited in the shop. A
sample of meat balls did not declare all the ingredients, where
mention of the starchy filler was omitted. A sample of cough mixture
contained more dilute acetic acid than was declared. The
ingredients in a sample of canned fruit salad were not present in
the order in which they were declared on the label. The Labelling
of Food Order requires the ingredients to be listed in the descending
order of magnitude. Certain ingredients declared to be present in
a can of picnic anti-pasto were, in fact, not present. Finally, the
contents of a can of sliced roast beef in rich gravy did not resemble
the picture on the lid. On the lid the slices were shown clean whereas
in the can they were sodden with gravy. Furthermore, the meat
content was considerably below the standard recently accepted by
a Court judgment for this type of article.
New legislation introduced during 1964 included the following
quite important measures. The Meat Treatment Regulations which
prohibited the addition to raw meat of ascorbic and nicotinic acids
and their salts. The Soft Drinks Regulations extend the requirements
in respect of composition, sugar and fruit content, artificial
sweeteners and labelling, together with the requirements when sold
from vending machines. The Dried Milk Regulations specify the
composition and description of dried milk. Regulations were introduced
to abandon the Imperial system of prescribing drugs in favour
of the metric system.
One measure which could have far-reaching results was the
issue in December, 1964, of a Circular by the Minister of Health
entitled "Procuring Samples of Drugs". This reminds sampling
officers of their powers under various existing statutes to be supplied
with drugs normally obtainable only on prescription. While this
could give your Analyst the opportunity to examine a far greater
number of drugs in respect of their purity and accuracy of composition,
new legislation unifying the various aspects of the control of
medicines, drugs and poisons would be welcome.
However, the full effect of this directive to sampling Officers
will not fall on the Public Health Department of the Metropolitan
Borough of Paddington but on the New City of Westminster. I
should like to take this opportunity of thanking the Medical Officer
of Health for his kindness and courtesy towards me which, indeed,
I have experienced from all Officers of the Paddington Borough
Council. Particularly may I express my appreciation of the consideration
and forebearance shown me on all occasions by Mr.
Harrison, your Sampling Officer, during the years of my service
to you as your Public Analyst. Like many others, I regret the passing
of Paddington, but look forward with confidence to a period
of happy association with the New Westminster.
I am, Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
J. H. E. Marshall,
Public Analyst.