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A sample of cream was procured which was labelled "thick cream." The fat
content of this cream was less than the standard prescribed for thick cream and the
product was re-labelled "Sterilised Cream."
A manufacturer of a canned meat product claimed on the label that it was "Full
of lean red meat." The meat-content was no more than is normal for this class of
product, and the manufacturer was therefore challenged as to the accuracy of the
claim. It was withdrawn.
The manufacturers of several breakfast cereals were challenged on the ground
that the labels claimed the foods to be "Vitamin Enriched." The vitamins present
did not provide one-half of the daily requirement which, it is considered, is the
minimum to support a claim to enrichment. The labels were amended to "Vitamin
Fortified" which, because vitamins were added, is true.
A sample of iced lollies for which it was claimed that glucose was present, was
found on analysis not to be correct. The lollies originally had been made with added
glucose, but glucose had been dropped from the recipe, but the label was not amended.
Reference to glucose was deleted.
It was claimed for a sample of chopped pork that it contained "more meat."
The percentage of meat was no greater than that of comparable products and the
manufacturer was required to delete the claim.
A sample of butter mintoes was labelled "Made with Butter." This was not true;
other fats were present as well; the label was amended to "contains butter."
A sample of sodium fluoride tablets was found on analysis to be deficient of the
stated amount of the chemical. Because, in spite of the deficiency in the chemical,
it was considered that the efficacy of the tablets was not impaired, the manufacturer
was sent a letter of caution.
Two samples of instant coffee were found to contain sulphur dioxide, a preservative
not at the time permitted in instant coffee. The manufacturers and importers concerned
were sent letters of caution.
A sample of dried apricots was found to contain sulphur dioxide. A quantity of
preservative would have been satisfactory if its presence had been declared. The
manufacturers were required suitably to amend the label, and, together with the
importers concerned, were sent letters of caution.
Legal Proceedings
A dairy firm was prosecuted by Finchley Borough Council under Section 2 of the
Food and Drugs Act, 1955, for selling a bottle of milk not of the standard demanded
in that it contained "mould hyphae and spores and general dirt occluded in congealed
milk." The firm admitted the offence and was fined £75 with £13 15s. Od. costs.
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