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Other Samples
Of the 390 samples other than milk 39 were found unsatisfactory. But the unsatisfactory
samples included 13 articles brought in by members of the public, who had found mould, insects
or other foreign bodies in their purchases. Being weighted by these samples the arithmetical
"adulteration" figure of 10% should not be taken as an indication of the proportion of food on
sale in the City that is of unsatisfactory quality.
The number of articles of food and drink complained of by the public seems to increase year
by year. This is probably due mainly to an effect of improved health education in leading to the
expectation of higher standards of purity and cleanliness; but in some instances it appears to
result from difficulty in obtaining satisfaction, and an apparent lack of responsibility or even of
interest, when an article is complained of in the shop or restaurant where it was purchased.
There is no real evidence of any increase in the proportion of contaminated food on sale in the
London area.
Three of the other samples consisted of fancy cheeses which would have been regarded as
"genuine" in 1966 but failed to conform to the new labelling requirements introduced in the
Cheese Regulations which came into force on 1st February, 1967. Two of these were labelled
"Brie" but they must now be labelled "Full Fat Soft Cheese". The third was a very different
French cheese made from goats' milk, which apparently should also have borne the same description.
The new requirements, particularly the term "Medium Fat Soft Cheese", which was strongly
criticised without avail when the Regulations were in draft form, have caused a certain amount
of confusion and given rise to a large crop of adverse certificates on samples taken in the
London area this year, mainly respecting the small, foil wrapped, Continental cheeses. No doubt,
however, the new terminology will gradually become accepted, if not quite understood.
PHARMACY AND POISONS ACT, 1933
This Act provides for registration by the Local Authority of persons not already registered
in respect of poisons in Part I of the Poisons List who desire to sell poisons included in Part II.
Part I of the Poisons List includes the more dangerous poisons such as strychnine — which may
be sold only by Pharmacists registered by the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, whereas
Part II includes the less dangerous poisons such as phenols, hair dyes, etc.
70 firms were registered under this Act, 65 of which were re-registrations. No contraventions
were noted. 94 inspections were made in connection with the administration of the Act.
PHARMACY AND MEDICINES ACT, 1941
This Act has continued to have the attention of the Inspector. It aims to protect the public
from misleading claims by advertisements or by labels on medicine bottles.
32 inspections were made and no contraventions came to the notice of the Inspector.
FERTILISERS AND FEEDING STUFFS ACT, 1926
This Act requires sellers of certain specified fertilisers and feeding stuffs for cattle or
poultry to furnish purchasers with a statutory statement indicating the name under which the
article is sold and the amount, if any, of certain scheduled ingredients.
35 inspections were made. No contraventions were noted.
ITINERANT FOOD VENDORS
Constant inspections of barrows and of itinerant food vendors have been maintained and no
difficulty has been experienced in connection with this class of trade.
AGRICULTURE PRODUCE (GRADING AND MARKING) ACTS,1928-1931
Regulations made under these Acts prescribe designations referred to as "Grade designations"
indicating the quality of certain articles of agricultural or fishery produce. Such regulations
contain definitions of the quality indicated by every "grade designation" thereby prescribed
and specify a "grade designation mark" to represent each "grade designation".
24.