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Of the above mentioned samples four were reported as being unsatisfactory
viz: two samples of Chicken Soup, one sample of Pork
Sausages and one sample of Breakfast Cereal.
CHICKEN SOUPS
Both these samples were of dehydrated products.
One sample labelled "Cream of Chicken Soup" when prepared
according to the instructions on the packet was shown on analysis
to contain only one per cent of fat which in the opinion of your
Analyst was insufficient for an article described as a "cream soup."
Furthermore in respect of this sample the label was not in accordance
with the Labelling of Food Order which requires that the ingredients
used in a preparation shall be listed in the order of the proportion
by weight in which they are present.
The second sample labelled "Chicken Soup" was found when prepared
according to instructions to contain meat and meat extractives
to the extent of 0.5 per cent, a proportion considered insufficient to
justify the description "chicken soup."
In earlier reports your Analyst has stressed the need for official
minimum standards of composition for such soups but the position
today is still the same as it was over two years ago and there seems
little likelihood as things are at the present of there being any help
from official standards.
Both these soups were imports from Israel. The distributors in this
country were approached and one proved very helpful in endeavouring
to get soup properly labelled and the meat content improved.
PORK SAUSAGES
Although there is still no official standard for the meat content of
Pork Sausages, public analysts are of the opinion that such sausages
should contain at least 65 per cent of meat. This particular sample,
an informal one, purchased from a butcher who has made sausages
in the district for some years was found to be deficient in meat to the
extent of 15 per cent. A formal sample obtained later had a meat
content well above the suggested minimum. Enquiries at the shop
revealed that the deficiency in the particular sample was probably
due to inefficient mixing of the ingredients due to staff difficulties.
BREAKFAST CEREAL
A sample of Breakfast Cereal was submitted for analysis after a
complaint had been received that a portion contained cigarette ash.
Examination showed that the small blackish particles distributed over
the surface of the biscuit consisted of charred fragments of wheat
and otherwise the cereal was quite fit for consumption.
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