View report page

Soft Drink. A complaint that a bottle of soft drink had an
offensive odour and taste was investigated. The Public Analyst
reported that the drink was contaminated by phenol. It contained
chlor-phenol derived from the action of free chlorine in water used
directly on the phenol formaldehyde stopper. The amount of phenol
in the drink was very small—less than one part per million—but was
sufficient to cause the smell and taste.
Extensive investigations were carried out to find a remedy for
this contamination, which is very rare. The manufacturers changed
the preservative used from sodium benzoate to metabisulphate so that
the sulphur dioxide would cancel the chlorine in the water, and also
changed the type of stopper used.
There have been no further complaints.
The Public Control Department also reported upon the following
matters:—
Merchandise Marks Acts, 1887—1953. The majority of the
inspection work carried out under the provisions of the above Acts
relates to ensuring that the requirements of the various Marking
Orders made under the provisions of the Act of 1926, and which
relate to the marking with an indication of origin of certain imported
foodstuffs when exposed for sale or sold, are complied with. Inspections
were made on 102 premises of 407 displays of meat, apples,
tomatoes and poultry.
One prosecution was undertaken for selling Argentine chilled
steak as English, and displaying unmarked meat. The manager was
cross-summoned by the firm and fined £2 on each of three summonses.
All other infringements were of a minor nature and were dealt
with verbally.
Labelling of Food Order, 1953. This Order requires prepacked
food to be marked with the name and address, or with the
registered trade mark, of the packer or labeller. It also requires
such food to be labelled with its common or usual name (if any) and
in the case of a compounded food with the names of the ingredients
in descending order of proportion by weight. It also controls the
manner in which the presence of vitamins and minerals is disclosed
and prescribes specific labelling of certain foods.
A total of 508 articles of pre-packed food was examined at 99
premises to ascertain whether there was compliance with the above
Regulations.
57