View report page

cheese and cream cheese and that to many customers cream cheese was any soft cheese that could
be purchased loose from a tray. Cream cheese is now required to have a fat content of 45 per cent.
Over half the samples of cream cheese purchased during the year were unsatisfactory by reason of
their being deficient in fat; most of the samples should have been described by the new designation
"full fat soft cheese" which should have a fat content of not less than 20 per cent, though in 3
instances the fat content was less than 20 per cent and their description should have been "medium
fat soft cheese". In each instance the manager or proprietor of the shop was interviewed personally
and the requirements of the new legislation explained. In the case of company owned shops letters
were sent to the Head Offices of the companies to ensure that the managers were supplied with
correctly worded labels. In five instances descriptions were applied to cheeses which are not
prescribed by the Cheese Regulations. In the case of one sample the label was printed entirely in
German and it was pointed out to the importers that the label indicating the nature of the cheese
should be printed in the English language.
Peeled Italian Tomatoes
An informal sample of peeled tomatoes was found to contain an unduly high proportion of tin.
The inner surfaces of the can showed that the high level of tin was due to severe attack by the
contents on the tin plate of the can. The can which was examined proved to be the only one among
stock taken over by the new proprietor when the shop changed hands just before the sample was
purchased. Enquiries made of a number of wholesalers failed to trace any further supplies of the
particular brand concerned and it was not possible, therefore, to pursue the matter further; it would
appear that the can sampled had probably been on the shelf for a very long time.
Rice Flour
A packet of rice flour labelled "Creme de Riz" had a label printed entirely in French. A letter
was sent to the importers pointing out that the labelling should include a statement in the English
language describing the nature of the contents. A reply was received indicating their willingness to
do this.-
Chicken Curry with Rice
One sample was found to be slightly deficient in meat content. The Canned Meat Product
Regulations 1967 prescribing standards for a large variety of canned meats will come into operation
on 31st May 1969.
Low Fat Skimmed Milk Powder
Large quantities of skimmed milk powder are now being imported from the continent in bulk and
packeted in this country. Milk powder will readily absorb moisture and one sample was found to have
a moisture content in excess of the amount permitted by the Dried Milk Regulations 1965.
Chuna
The contents of a small tin of a white looking substance purchased in a shop specialising in
food stuffs for immigrants were found to consist of slaked lime, a substance not normally used in the
preparation of food in this country. The label was printed in a foreign language; the attention of the
importer was drawn to this and he agreed to have a label affixed with the necessary English
description.
35