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73
It will be seen from the table that bread and confectionery,
especially the former, continued to be the main source of trouble,
accounting for nearly half of the complaints received. In spite of
the highly mechanised procedures adopted in the modern bakehouse,
where the loaves are virtually untouched by hand, lubricating
oil from many parts or accumulations of dirty matter dislodged
from moving parts, continue to give trouble. These matters are,
of course, the responsibility of the bakers, but the latter point
out that the number of complaints received are infinitesimal when
compared with the huge production of the factory bakehouse. Many
complaints are traceable to a failure of the human element, which
might well be lessened if supervision was more efficient.
The cool conditions prevailing during the summer, may well
account for the reduction in the number of mouldy pies and stale
sausages received. The Committee continued to be of the opinion
that the use of a date-mark, legible to the purchasers of these highly
perishable articles, should be made compulsory. The opinion,
however, of the Ministry on the subject is that date stamping of
this nature would be misleading, having regard to the different
type of storage provided in the various shops. This view is also
held by the pie manufacturers, some of whom urge shop keepers
themselves to code such goods by label or otherwise, when they
are delivered. The great majority of such cases do arise from
carelessness on the part of the retailer or his staff.
Of the more unusual types of complaint received during the
year, was one concerning a very unpleasant odour in some bottles
of milk. The source of this was never traced, but it might have
been due to some abnormality in the milk when produced by the
cows. Another related to a nail found in dates, when, in spite of
widespread investigations it was not possible to ascertain whether
the nail gained access, whilst the produce was in this country or
during packing in Africa.
All these cases were fully investigated at the complainant's
home, at the retailer's premises, and at depots and factories, the last
mentioned usually being outside the Urban District. The facts
are considered by the Committee which then recommends the
appropriate action.
During 1962 it was found necessary to institute prosecutions in
13 instances as follow:—
Maggot in chocolate biscuits—manufacturer fined £20 with £1 costs
Decomposed chickens—retailer fined £20 with £5 5s. costs.
Metal in sugar confectionery—manufacturer fined £5 with £4 4s. costs.
Mould in flour confectionery—manufacturers fined £10 with £8 8s. costs.
Mouldy pork pie—manager of retailer's shop fined £5.
Mouldy sausage—case adjourned sine die.