View report page

103
It was pointed out that the object was the protection of the public without
interfering with commercial interests, and that it was clear that if a system of
marking were adopted in any country such fact would be of great value as
affecting a guarantee of age and condition.
With regard to the first suggestion made with regard to a cypher mark
indicating the names of the packers, I agreed this would meet the case. It is
not necessary that the name of the packer should b e known to everyone,
provided that the responsible authorities were in possession of the information,
and a registered number or mark of some kind would well serve the purpose
if a key were applied and kept up to date.
As to suggestion (2) that the date should be indicated by a cypher, I was
unable to concur, as in my view the figures of the year should be plainly
shown upon the tin. If a cypher were used the information would be available
for the protection of the trade only, while the object sought is to afford
the purchaser as much protection as he is entitled to.
There is a general consensus of opinion amongst health administrators
that all tinned and potted meat and other food products should have the date
or year of packing marked thereon, and it is to be hoped that the Local
Government Board will bear this in mind when considering the framing of
any regulation they may make with regard to this class of food under the
provisions of the Public Health (Regulations to to Food) Act, 1907.
In a Report by Dr. Buchanan on Tin in Canned Goods, dated
18th December, 1908, the following remarks are made: —
"The enquiry illustrates the advantage which would be gained from the
"administrative point of view if the person or firm by whom canned foods are
"prepared were in a position to determine by marks, labels, or otherwise, the date
"and place of preparation, and could be required to furnish such particulars, on
"reason shown, to public health authorities concerned with food inspection and
"wholesomeness of foods. Such a practice would have advantage from other points
"of view, which need not here be gone into."