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(vi) Food and Drugs Act, 1955
(a) FOOD AND DRUGS AUTHORITY
The Council are a Food and Drug Authority as defined by
Section 85 of the Food and Drugs Act, 1955, and are responsible for
the enforcement of the provisions of the Act relating to sampling
of food and drugs, and the Public Health Inspectors are
accordingly " Authorised Officers " under the Act.
(b) PUBLIC ANALYST
It is the duty of every Food and Drugs Authority to appoint
Public Analysts; Dr. J. H. Hamence, F.R.I.C., and Mr. P. S. Hall,
F.R.I.C., both of 20 Eastcheap, E.C.3.
The Analysts have been most helpful in advising on the types
and quantities of samples taken and any complicated points relating
to samples.
(c) SAMPLES SUBMITTED FOR ANALYSIS
During the year 250 informal samples and 3 formal samples
were submitted to the analyst, of these only 26 were found to be not
genuine.
A few of these samples were submitted as a result of complaint,
but in the majority of cases the complaints were not confirmed.
Informal samples are purchased by the sampling officers in
the same manner that the articles would be purchased by an ordinary
customer, no indication being given to the vendor that the article
is to be subjected to analysis, should the informal samp!? however
prove to be not genuine a formal sample is taken and the vendor is
notified to this effect and is given one part of the sample for future
reference.
The original purpose of sampling under the Food and Drugs
Act was in order to trace adulteration of foods and drugs
Fortunately, this practice is not so common as it used to be in the
early part of the century. Sampling nowadays is carried out to
ensure that foods and drugs comply with the various legal standards
and codes of practice regarding composition, and do not contain any
harmful preservatives or colouring matter contrary to t the Regulations
on these matters. Also to ensure that the public are not being
deceived by mis-descriptions or exaggerated claims on labels or
advertisements.
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