View report page

123
In the Annual Report for 1966 reference was made to this subject and
to its importance in relation to much of the work that is undertaken by the
Health Inspector. Important in this particular field are the Merchandise
Marks Act and the many Statutory Instruments relating to the composition
and labelling of foodstuff.
During the year 422 inspections were made in connection with matters
arising from these Acts and Instruments and a number of cases involving
the labelling of food were taken up with the manufacturers.
In the main, however, the foodstuff exposed for sale in shops in the
in the Borough was well and truly marked. The cases dealt with included
honey which was incorrectly labelled—old potatoes being sold prepacked
and described as "selected new potatoes"—incorrectly labelled fruit juice
and, similarly, sausages, milk powder, crumpets, liqueur chocolates and
sweets.
The labelling of foodstuff is a very complex subject to which considerable
thought has been given and is still being given by the Foods
Standards Committee. Of the cases found, meetings with the trade
resulted in appropriate action being taken and on no occasion was it
necessary for proceedings to be instituted.
Sampling
During the course of the year 671 samples of foodstuff were taken for
examination and testing and 408 of these were submitted for analysis by
the Public Analyst, Mr. Eric Voelcker, A.R.C.S., F.R.I.C.

On an unsatisfactory report being received, enquiries were made and
follow-up action was taken and invariably the subsequent samples revealed
that this had been successful. At the same time, a number of warnings
were given and, in one case, legal proceedings were instituted.