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In addition to samples purchased in the borough, labelled stacks
and displays of fish (25), meat (88), apples (216), citrus fruit (53),
vegetables (46), plums (6), potatoes (8), and other miscellaneous
foods (10) were examined in 84 shops. Formal samples are selectively
procured from retail shops based on these examinations oi
labelled displays of natural foods, where there is doubt as to the
accuracy of thfe label or where there is need for further examination.
The inspectors of the Department have, over a number of years,
acquired a considerable expertise in the identification of cuts of meat
and of varieties of fish and fruit. No infringements were disclosed
as a result of these inspections.
In 1962 new regulations were introduced dealing with emulsifiers
and stabilizers in food, and with preservatives in food. In addition
there has been an amended food standard relating to table jellies.
The effect of the regulations dealing with emulsifiers and stabilizers,
and with preservatives, is to define and limit the additives which are
permitted, and (in the case of preservatives), to extend the range of
foods and the types of preservatives which are allowed but nevertheless
closely limiting the quantities of such preservative. No infringement
arising from the new regulations has been reported during the year.
The Merchandise Marks Acts, 1887-1953
Inspections are carried out under the above Acts to ensure that
the requirements of the various Marking Orders relating to the
indication of the origin of imported foodstuffs are applied. Inspections
were made at 202 premises, and 132 stacks and displays of meat,
344 of apples, 178 of tomatoes, 246 of poultry and 30 of other
miscellaneous foods were examined for compliance with the Orders.
Minor infringements have been dealt with by verbal warnings. Details
of other more serious infringements disclosed are commented upon
below.
A butcher in the borough was sent an official caution for
failing to mark five joints of meat with the country of origin. Another
butcher was prosecuted for failing to mark the origin. In this case
there were in the shop at the time of the inspection 26 trays and
joints of imported meats, none of which were marked with the origin.
The butcher was fined £5 on each of five summonses and was ordered
to pay £5.5s. 0d. towards the costs.
It is an offence under the Merchandise Marks Act of 1887 to
apply a false trade description to goods. One butcher was sent a
letter of caution for exposing South African beef marked as "New
Zealand". Enquiries in this particular case showed that the meat
had been wrongly marked by a butcher's boy who was quite ignorant
of the origin of the meat. A butcher's manager was prosecuted for
applying false labels "Argentine" to Yugoslav beef, and for falsely
applying the description "New Zealand" to American lambs liver.
He was fined £10 on each of three summonses and was ordered to
pay £9.9s.0d. towards the costs.
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