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27
The point at issue is whether these soups are to be sold merely
as appetisers, with no nutritive value, or whether they would be
comparable with canned soups in quality. In my opinion and that of
Dr. Hamence, the Public Analyst, if these substances are to be described
as "soup" they should have a reasonably high nutritive value, which
at present they have not, if they are to continue being' sold in their
present form the manufacturers should be compelled to describe them
as, e.g., "Oxtail Flavour Soup." Any member of the public demanding
"Oxtail Soup" or "Beef Soup "or" Chicken Soup" is entitled in
my view, to expect to be supplied with a nutritious soup and not a
preponderantly chemical appetiser.
The more of these samples that are analysed the more convinced
the Public Analyst and myself become of the urgent need for some
rigid form of standardisation, not only as regards the composition of
the soups but also as regards the labelling and advertising. Labelling
is particularly emphasised in the case of sample No. B/299 Chicken
Noodle Soup, the illustration on the packet depicts a very large chicken
surrounded by a small quantity of noodles—this being completely out
of proportion with the actual composition of the soup.
Canned Soup
Cream of Celery' Soup. "... the constituents of the sample
included the following substances in proportions as under:—
Fat 3.0%.
In my opinion Cream Soup should contain at least 3½ per cent of
fat, or, if the fat is wholly butter fat, at least 2½ per cent of fat. The
sample therefore contained insufficient fat to justify the description
Cream of Celery Soup.
(vii) Food Hygiene Regulations, 1955
The Public Health Inspectors continue to devote a considerable
amount of time to the inspection of food premises of all types to ensure
that the requirements of the above Regulations are complied with.
Provision is not made in these Regulations for the service of
Statutory Notices in the case of contraventions and, legally, every
contravention found by the inspectors could result in prosecution.
However, in practice, it is rare that the contraventions observed are
sufficiently serious as to warrant immediate legal action. When
contraventions are noted, they are immediately drawn to the attention
of the occupier, and the need for improvement explained. This verbal
intimation is always followed by a letter, indicating the nature of the
offence, and allowing the offender a period of grace in which to comply
with the Regulations. This procedure has been adopted with a view to
educating food traders, rather than to prosecute, and it appears to be
paying dividends as the general standard of the food shops in the district
has greatly improved during the past two years.
In addition to the inspection of food shops and restaurants, frequent
visits are made to factory and school canteens, and other food preparing
premises The two main difficulties experienced with the enforcement
of the Regulations are (a) the protection of open foodstuffs exposed
for sale on stalls in the open market and (b) smoking by food handlers.