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Six samples were submitted from this Authority consisting of home produced
brown bread, porridge oats, Red King potatoes, spring onions, custard powder and
imported corned beef. All were satisfactory.
Of the samples of drugs and medicines the large majority were satisfactory.
One complaint concerned a well-known remedy for coping with the after-effects
of the night before, which had lost its efficacy. This was due to a missing foil seal
which is normally present and prevents the contents absorbing moisture from the
atmosphere.
A sample of “Sal Volatile” was 46% deficient in ammonium carbonate and
76.8% deficient in free ammonia. It was not possible to trace whether the stock
had deteriorated in the hands of the retailer or the wholesaler but warning was
given that, with a reduced demand for the old established medicines evident today,
smaller quantities should be held and renewed regularly.
A sample of “slow release vitamin C tablets” was found to disintegrate within
one minute. The manufacturer agreed to incorporate an improved binding agent
in new tablets.
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 seven cases where retailers have omitted to mark foreign goods.
The Pharmacy and Medicines Acts, 1852 to 1941, make provision to prohibit
certain advertisements relating to medical matters, and amend the law relating to
medicines. Formal samples are only taken following the finding of an unsatisfactory
informal sample and where the circumstances indicate the necessity. There
were no infringements.
Food Unfit for Human Consumption
All kinds of foods are inspected for fitness for human consumption and frequent
requests are received for the inspection of canned goods at wholesale depots.
In all, 73 tons 1 cwt. 45½ lb. of food were condemned by the Department. No
instances of unfit food offered for sale were found.
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