View report page

The following comments relate to samples noted as unsatisfactory:—
Cheese
Nine of these unsatisfactory samples were Cream Cheese and all
found to be deficient in fat. Four manufacturers were involved and
official cautions were sent to each of them. One sample described as
"creamery cheese" was whole-milk soft cheese: the matter was taken
up with the manufacturers who have amended their description of the
product. A sample of cheese spread was found to be deficient in fat,
but follow-up samples proved genuine and no further action was taken.
Jelly
A table jelly was found to be deficient in glucose and fruit juice.
A letter of warning was sent to the manufacturers.
Marzipan
This sample was deficient in ground almonds. The matter was taken
up with the importers who in turn took it up with their foreign
suppliers.
Sweets
Two samples of boiled sweets, from the same retail shop, contained
pieces of wire. The manufacturers were prosecuted, and granted an
absolute discharge on payment of £5 5s. costs.
Vinegar
Two samples of vinegar—purchased from one retailer—were found
to be non-brewed condiment. An official caution was issued.
Merchandise Marks Acts, 1887-1926.
Ninety-nine inspections of shops were undertaken to ensure that
the Marking Orders relating to certain imported foodstuffs made
under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1926, were complied with; 369
separate displays of meat, applies, tomatoes, dried fruit, poultry,
butter and bacon were examined. A firm of butchers was prosecuted
for displaying Argentine offal, New Zealand lamb and New Zealand
lamb's liver not marked with the country of origin. They were fined a
total of £12 and ordered to pay £2 2s. costs. Verbal cautions were given
in respect of minor infringements not being found so serious as to
warrant more stringent action.
The Labelling of Food Order, 1953.
This Order requires that in general pre-packed foods shall bear
on the label a clear statement of the designation of the food and, in
the case of compound foods, the ingredients. It also requires that the
name and address of the packer or labeller appears. At 157 premises
1,065 articles of pre-packed food were examined. No proceedings
were taken but in respect of infringements found see next
paragraph.
52