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Merchandise Marks Acts, 1887-1926
One hundred and forty-five 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.
1,263 separate displays of meat, apples, tomatoes, poultry, dried fruit,
bacon and butter were examined. Verbal cautions were given in respect
of minor infringements not being found so serious as to warrant more
stringent action. A firm of butchers exposed for sale Argentine beef not
marked with the country of origin. They were fined £2 and ordered to
pay £2 2s. costs. The manager of that particular branch was also prosecuted
for selling Argentine beef not marked with the country of origin.
He was fined £2 and ordered to pay £2 2s. costs.
The Labelling of Food Order, 1953
This Order prescribed that, subject to certain exceptions, pre-packed
foods shall be marked with legible and conspicuous statements of the
designation of the food, of the ingredients of which compounded foods
are composed, and of the name and address (or registered trademark)
of the packer or labeller. It also prescribes special labelling requirements
in respect of certain specified food and in respect of foods concerning
which there is a claim as to their vitamin or mineral content. At 169
premises 818 articles of pre-packed food were examined. No proceedings
were taken in respect of any of the infringements detected and manufacturers
took immediate steps to correct unsatisfactory labels as soon
as their attention was drawn to them.
False or Misleading Descriptions
A considerable amount of work is carried out each year in scrutinising
advertisements and the labelling of pre-packed food and taking such
action as is possible to secure satisfactory amendments in those cases
where a label or advertisement contains a false or misleading description
of the food to which it relates. This work is of benefit to all districts of
Middlesex, irrespective of where the offending advertisement or label is
discovered, and during the year under review corrective action has been
taken in respect of cherry wine, biscuits, chocolate Easter Eggs, flour
and sugar confectionery, imitation caviare, blackcurrant punch, fruit
juice drinks and creme de menthe.
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