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A concentrated fruit sauce supplied to a large store for use in the catering
department was inadvertently offered for sale in the store's food department. The
sauce was found to contain 950 ppm. of benzoic acid and 70 ppm. of sulphur
dioxide. Benzoic acid is no longer permitted as a preservative in sauces, but is
allowed to be added to fruit syrups up to a maximum amount of 800 ppm. Imported
fruit pulp is preserved for shipment by the addition of benzoic acid and manufacturers
must exercise great care to ensure conformity with food standards in the
preparation of products for sale to the public. In this case, the manufacturer reduced
the amount of the preservative and re-labelled the product, fruit syrup.
The Merchandise Marks Act of 1887, as amended by the Merchandise Marks
Act, 1953, prohibits the application of certain types of written false trade descriptions
to goods, while the Merchandise Marks Act, 1926, requires in the case of a
number of foodstuffs designated in orders made under the Act, that the place of
origin shall be marked on those goods. Such designated food stuffs include honey,
apples, tomatoes, dried fruit, eggs, cucumbers, bacon and ham, poultry, meat, butter
and margarine.
Unmarked goods are deemed to be home produced and administrative action
has been taken in 15 cases where retailers have omitted to mark foreign goods.
During the year, a circular letter was sent to retailers of fruit and vegetables,
reminding them of their responsibilities under this legislation.
The Pharmacy and Poisons Acts, 1852 to 1941, make provision to prohibit
certain advertisements relating to medical matters, and amend the law relating to
medicines.
A minor infringement relating to the labelling of a medicine was noted during
the year. The attention of the manufacturer was drawn to this, and the label was
amended.
Many complaints have been received concerning a wide variety of foods relating
to deterioration of the food and the presence of foreign bodies in the food. Every
complaint is investigated and, where it is considered appropriate, action is taken.
In many cases this takes the form of a warning letter and in other cases, legal
proceedings are instituted.
During the year, 37 warning letters were sent to retailers and manufacturers
and legal proceedings were taken in 23 instances. The complaint was found proved
in respect of 17 cases and fines totalling £175 were imposed, plus total costs of
over £80. In one case, one guinea costs only were awarded and five cases were
dismissed.
Formal samples are only taken following the finding of an unsatisfactory
informal sample and where the circumstances indicate the necessity. Only five were
taken during the year and were found to be satisfactory.
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