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Liver. This sample, sold as " Lamb's Liver," was found to be
pig's liver. Proceedings were instituted against the firm of butchers
and also against the manager for aiding and abetting. The case
against the firm was dismissed, but the manager was fined £2 Os. Od.
No costs were imposed.
Pears. Imported Italian pears contained an excess lead
content due to the use abroad, of poisonous insecticides or fungicides.
An official caution was issued to the importers in this case.
Sausages. Two samples of pork sausages, procured from
different butchers, contained undeclared preservative. Official
cautions were issued.
Merchandise Marks Acts, 1887-1926. 389 inspections of shops
were undertaken to ensure that the Marking Orders relating to
certain imported foodstuffs made under the Merchandise Marks
Act, 1926 were complied with. 1,801 separate displays of meat,
apples, tomatoes, poultry, dried fruit, bacon and butter were
examined. Verbal cautions were given in respect of minor infringements
not being found so serious as to warrant more stringent
action. In two more serious cases official cautions were issued—
one in respect of Danish bacon falsely described as " English " ;
the other for not marking imported meat with the country of origin.
The Labelling of Food Order, 1953. This Order requires that in
general pre-packed foods shall bear on the label a clear statement
of the designation of the food and, in the case of compound foods,
the ingredients. It also requires that the name and address of the
packer or labeller appears. At 333 premises 1,531 articles of prepacked
food were examined. No proceedings were taken but in
respect of infringements found see paragraph " False or Misleading
Descriptions " below.
False or Misleading Descriptions. In addition to the foregoing
activities which arise specifically from inspections, a considerable
amount of work has been done in scrutinising advertisements and
the labels of pre-packed foods, and correcting false or misleading
descriptions or errors in statement of composition found therein.
Corrective action during the year in question included biscuits,
confectionery, spirits, sausages in brine, cereals, fruit squashes,
margarine, ginger wine, imitation cream, liver puree, iced lollies,
cheese spreads, tinned fruit and vegetables.