View report page

Non-alcoholic Wine. A non-alcholic wine had a misleading label
describing it as"wine." Action in this case has been deferred
pending a meeting between trade associations and the Ministry of
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
Sweets. A sample described as "Milk Gums" contained no
milk. The manufacturers agreed to amend their labels. A confection,
sold under the false and misleading description of "Swiss Milk Bars,"
was manufactured by a Scottish firm of confectioners. They have
now withdrawn this sweet from sale in England.
Vinegar. Two samples from the same retailer described and
sold as "vinegar," were each found to be non-brewed condiment.
An official caution was issued.
The Public Control Department also reported upon the following
matters.
Food and Drugs Act, 1955, Section 47
This contains new provisions concerning the descriptions which
can be applied to certain substances which resemble cream in appearance
but are not cream. This has necessitated the making of many
inspection visits and the giving of advice to all traders likely to be
concerned to ensure that they were fully aware of these new requirements.
Merchandise Marks Act, 1887-1926. 116 inspections of shops
were undertaken to ensure that the Marking Orders relating to
certain imported foodstuffs made under the Mechandise Marks Act,
1926, were complied with. 972 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. Seven
summonses were issued against four butchers for failing to mark
imported beef and offal sold, or exposed for sale, with a prescribed
indication of origin. In two cases, English meat had been requested
and unmarked imported meat supplied. There was a conviction in
every case and the amount of fines and costs imposed totalled
£25 8s. Od.
Five fruiterers were prosecuted for offences arising from pears
being wrongly sold and exposed for sale as "William" pears ; the
varieties which were passed off as "Williams" were "Winter Nelis"
and "Packham." There was a conviction in every case and the
57