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43
ARTIFICIAL CREAM ACT, 1929.
The Artificial Cream Act came into operation on the 1st June, 1929. The substance
whose sale and manufacture the Act is designed to regulate is a cream substitute, hitherto
commonly known as reconstituted cream, and usually prepared by emulsifying butter,
dried skimmed milk and water. The definition in the Act, however, is sufficiently wide to
include any article of food resembling cream and containing nothing but the ingredients of
cream.
Artificial cream must be designated as such on every container or receptacle, and the
place of manufacture must be registered with the Food and Drugs Authority who are charged
with the enforcement of the provisions of the Act.
The penalties for infringement vary from a maximum of £5 for a first offence to £50
for a second and subsequent offence.
The measure is a useful one, and should secure the control of a material the commercial
use of which is increasing.
One registration was effected during the year.
MEAT INSPECTION.
The report under this heading has been prepared by your Veterinary Officer, Lt.-Col.
T. D. Young.
According to the Board of Trade Returns the imports of meat and bacon for the year
ending 31st December, 1929, were as follows:—

The above figures show a decrease of 27,000 tons of beef compared with those for 1928,
and consisted of approximately 80 per cent. chilled and 20 per cent. frozen. Argentina
continues to head the list with supplies of 77 per cent., Australia 8 per cent., Uruguay 8 per
cent., Other Countries 6 per cent., and New Zealand 1 per cent. The imports of tinned and
canned beef tongues extracts, etc., amounted to nearly 50,000 tons.
Mutton and Lamb.—The total of 282,699 tons was practically the same as last year.
Argentina making good the decreases from New Zealand and Uruguay. New Zealand sent
nearly 50 per cent., Argentina 27 per cent., Australia 10 per cent., Other Countries 7 per cent.
and Uruguay 6 per cent. Offals consisted of tongues, livers, hearts, kidneys, etc., viz.,
4,083 tons, with canned mutton and tongues amounting to 1,575 tons.
Frozen Pork.—This class of food increased by 2,500 tons, chiefly from New Zealand
and Argentina. The former sent over 50 per cent. of the total.
Fresh Pork.—The Irish Free State is the only country from which this class of food is
imported. Last year the amount decreased by 4,550 tons. The reason is obscure, as prices
for fresh pork keep high.
Bacon.—The amount of bacon imported decreased by 28,573 tons. Denmark sent
60 per cent., thus occupying first place, with Holland second and the United States of America
third. The remainder is placed under the heading of "Other Countries."
Hams.—50,000 tons were imported, of which 80 per cent. arrived from the U.S.A.,
the balance being from Other Countries, including Canada.
Live Stock—With the exception of 692 cattle, which arrived from South Africa, consignments
were all from Ireland.