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Labelling of Food Order, 1953:
This Order requires prepacked food to be marked with the name and address of
the packer or labeller, or to bear a registered trade mark; to be marked with its
common or usual name or its appropriate designation; and to bear a statement of
ingredients if the food consists of more than one ingredient. It also controls the
manner in which the presence of vitamins and minerals is disclosed. A total of 144
premises were visited in connection with the Order, and 613 items of food were
examined. One infringement was disclosed. This was a packet of ice-cream powder
found on sale in a retail shop, and which was of imported origin, bearing no statements
in English at all. The importer was sent a letter of warning, and the product was
withdrawn for proper labelling.
Labelling and Advertising Infringements:
A considerable amount of work was done in the year which, while it did not
arise from samples and inspections in the Borough of Finchley, nevertheless has the
effect of protecting the residents of each county district. The matters mentioned below
were of nationally retailed articles of food, which are widely distributed throughout the
county.
Several manufacturers and importers were reminded of the obligation to put on
the label of foods the name and address of the packer or labeller. Similar action was
taken in respect of pickles, canned peas and mixed vegetables which did not bear a
statement of ingredients. One manufacturer of ice-cream was found to be putting all
the statutory declarations on the base of the carton. He was reminded that these
declarations are required to be both conspicuous and prominent.
Two advertisements for honey did not disclose that the honeys offered were of
foreign origin. The Mechandise Marks Act requires this, and letters were sent to the
advertisers reminding them of their obligation to declare the origin in advertisements.
Some prepacked lamb chops found to be generally on sale were of imported origin.
The declaration in such a case is required to be in half-inch letters; the lettering used
was so small as to be quite inconspicuous, and the packers were required to comply
with the prescribed conditions.
Matters dealt with under the Food and Drugs Act by correspondence, included a
sample of cream cheese containing less milk fat than was considered sufficient to
justify the title. Five examples of cake mixes, which were not complete mixes in that
other additions such as egg or milk, were necessary before the mix could be used,
were found. The manufacturers were required prominently to show what additions
were necessary.
The manufacturers of four brands of milk pudding which was described on the
label as "Creamed Rice" were challenged on the ground that the product was, in fact,
a rice milk pudding and not creamed rice. Correction to the labels was secured.
The manufacturer of a lemon juice was challenged that a claim on the label for
slimming properties for the juice was not justified, and he amended his labels to delete
the claim.
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