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Cooked Meats. One sample of pork luncheon meat was considered unsatisfactory,
being deficient in meat content. In the case of luncheon meats there is an agreement
between the manufacturers for a minimum meat content of 80%, this standard being one
that could be submitted to a Court in evidence of current practice on the lines
indicated above in respect of cream cheeses. It was found that the sample in
question was old stock and the vendors, who were also the packers, were cautioned.
Fruits. A retailer displayed a show ticket on tins of "Red Plums" describing
them as "Victoria Plums". Examination of the plums showed them to be Prune plums.
The firm was prosecuted and fined £3 with costs of 3 guineas. In three cases retailers
were found displaying Clementine oranges with tickets claiming the oranges to be
seedless. One retailer was prosecuted and fined £2 on each of two summonses with
costs of 6 guineas. In the other two cases there were mitigating circumstances which
led to cautions being given.
Fruit Juices. A ''Fruit Juice" must be fruit juice with nothing added. A concentrate
of fruit juice and sugar is a "Fruit syrup". Two cases of fruit syrups being
described as fruit juices were disclosed and the persons responsible for labelling
the products were cautioned.
Margarine. a sample of margarine was found to contain 18.4% of water. The
statutory standard for water content of margarine is not more than 16%. The company
concerned discovered that whereas their normal water content checks were efficient
for the checking of bulk blends, it was not so when applied to special purpose blends
in small quantities. An official caution was issued in respect of this sample.
Meat. Five samples of minced beef obtained from a retailer were found to contain
sulphur dioxide preservative. There is an absolute prohibition against adding
preservative to fresh meat, and the retailer was prosecuted. A fine of £5 on each
of three summonses was inflicted together with costs of £19. 4s.
Spirits. Samples of spirits obtained from licensed premises were found to be
adulterated with water. Proceedings were instituted against the licensee under the
Merchandise Marks Act, 1953, instead of the Food and Drugs Act, 1955, by reason of a
defence available that spirits may be adulterated with water providing the proof
spirit is not less than 65° proof. In the case of the two samples for which proceed
ings were undertaken, gin of 58° proof and whiskey of 65° proof, each was sold from
a bottle of proprietary branded spirit marked TO0 proof. The licensee was fined £10
on each of two summonses with 15 guineas costs.
Miscellaneous. A table jelly was found to have its ingredients incorrectly
marked. A letter was sent to the firm concerned and the matter corrected.
Merchandise larks Acts, 1887 - 1953. The majority of the inspection work carried
out under the provisions of these Acts relates to ensuring that the requirements of
the various Marking Orders made under the provisions of the Act of 1926 are complied
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