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29
Food Sampling and Analysis
The last war was responsible for the initiation of many new developments and changing customs
concerning our daily food supply and in no direction have these been greater than in the field
of pre-packed foods. Indeed, the greater part of our food supply is now sold pre-packed. We
no longer see such commodities as fats, vinegar, milk, coffee, tea, spices, cereals, etc. sold from
bulk and because of this prosecutions against retailers for "adulteration", at one time a common
occurrence, have virtually disappeared. When offences do occur, with the exception of those
relating to the unfitness or deterioration of foodstuffs, the retailer is often an innocent party, as
most present day contraventions are labelling infringements which primarily concern the packer
or manufacturer, or in the case of foods from abroad, the importer.
With the growth of the supermarket and self-service shop there has been a marked increase
in the pre-packing of food. The consumer is now more dependent than ever before on the label
to know what he is buying and there is therefore a greater need for vigilance on the part of the
inspector in this regard. So highly competitive is food marketing that manufacturers, in an effort
to make their labels attractive, have a tendency to use descriptive words and pictorial designs
not in line with acceptable practice.
During the year a total of 1,761 (1,476) samples of foodstuff were submitted to the City Council's
Public Analysts by routine or on complaint. Of this number adverse reports were received in
respect of 262 (172) samples and appropriate action was taken.
The following notes on a selection of these are given as points of interest:—
A sample of "soup with prawns" had an illustration on the packet of whole prawns with the
description "with prawns". The prawns however were ground, and the Analyst was of opinion
that the product should be described as a "Prawn Soup". The suppliers agreed to arrange for
an amendment in the labelling of future supplies.
A cereal mix showed pieces of banana, cherries and orange prominently displayed on the pack.
These were not contained in the pack, and the Analyst considered the label to be misleading.
The statement appearing on the pack "The perfect meal when served with fruit" did not make the
omission clear to an intending purchaser.
In 1966 the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food published the Food Standards Committee
Report on Claims and Misleading Descriptions and certain specific recommendations were
contained therein with regard to pictorial devices, which are designed to be of guidance to
producers and achieve a measure of uniformity of action on the part of enforcement authorities.
In this instance the relevant recommendation in the Report states that when any pictorial device
which appears on a label purports to show the food in the container being used with any food,
it must be made clear on the label in close proximity to the pictorial device, either by printing
there the appropriate designation of the food or by some other method, which is the food
within the container. In the case of this particular product, it was necessary to add a suitable
annotation to the label close to the illustration to indicate that the cherries, banana and orange
garnishings were not present or had to be added. The importers arranged to make a suitable
amendment to the label.
Several samples of imported soup submitted for analysis were reported on adversely in respect
of labelling deficiencies. The Food Standards Committee has recently completed a review
of the subject and the Public Analyst's findings were communicated to the Ministry for their
information.
A tin of grapefruit segments was alleged to be unsatisfactory as it contained white objects.
These proved to be clusters of minute crystals of naringin, a glucoside always present to some
extent in grapefruit and having an association with the ripeness of the fruit.
Pieces of wood were found in a chocolate bar. A discussion with the manufacturers revealed
that these were from teak boards used as a base for cutting the chocolate into bars. The local
Medical Officer of Health for the factory area was informed and he reported that the standards
maintained at the factory were higher than could legally be required. The firm co-operated
with his department at all levels and a close liaison had been established. There were several
thousand employees and it would appear there had been a human failure adequately to maintain
production equipment. The question was raised with the Company concerned as to the
suitability of wooden boards for this operation and it was indicated in reply that they hoped
shortly to avoid their use. The matter was dealt with by way of caution.
The contents of a tin of corned beef produced in South Africa were found to be mouldy when
purchased. The can exhibited a cut and scratch on the body just underneath the can manufacturer's
double seam. It was the opinion of the importers than when the fibre board packing case