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Milk and Butter
One sample of milk which was found to be unsatisfactory contained a considerable
amount of foreign matter consisting of mould spores with some hyphae in a base of congealed
milk. After full investigation the dairy was sent a strong letter of caution.
The other sample of milk was a third-of-a-pint bottle for consumption by a scholar at
a school and the milk contained part of a metal foil cap. The cap was sterile. A letter
of caution was sent to the dairy concerned.
A sample of butter which was procured from a retail shop was found to contain 16.5%
of water which is slightly in excess of the statutory limit. It proved impossible to obtain
further samples as this particular brand of butter had been withdrawn by the manufacturers.
In the circumstances no further action was taken.
Biscuits
Packeted biscuits were found on sale in Southall described as "Bourbon with real
chocolate filling". The filling was found not to be "real" chocolate but a soft filling
which had chocolate as one of its ingredients. The manufacturer, when the matter was
drawn to his attention altered the description to"Bourbon biscuits with genuine chocolate
cream filling".
Fish
A cafe sold in "fried plaice and chips" a dab. Further samples taken at a later date
were satisfactory. No action was taken therefore in respect of the original sample.
Fruit
An official caution was sent to a greengrocer who sold as "Newtown" apples Lavine
apples which were of Italian origin. The Newtown is a more highly prized apple.
Meat and Meat Products
A butcher sold minced beef which contained the preservative sulphur dioxide. Further
samples taken from the same butcher were found to be free of preservative and no action
was taken in respect of the incorrect sample.
Another butcher who sold minced beef containing sulphur dioxide was prosecuted.
He was given an absolute discharge. An official caution was sent to the same butcher in
respect of undeclared preservative in sausages.
An official caution was sent to two other butchers in Southall in respect of the sale of
sausages which in each case contained undeclared preservative.
Spirits
A sample of gin procured from licensed premises was found to be 32.5 U.P. To be
genuine the gin should have been 30 U.P. Follow-up samples were satisfactory and for
this reason no action was taken in respect of the original adulterated sample.
Vinegar
An official caution was sent to a greengrocer who sold vinegar deficient in acetic acid.
The deficiency was caused by a long period of storage in the retail shop.
In respect of a sample of vinegar which on analysis was found to be a solution of
dilute acetic acid (commonly known as non-brewed condiment) another greengrocer was
prosecuted and was fined £5.5.0d. and ordered to pay £5.5.0d. towards the costs.
Merchandise Marks Acts, 1887-1953. Inspections were carried out under the above
Acts to ensure that the requirements of the various Marking Orders relating to the indication
of origin of imported foodstuffs are applied. Inspections were made at 201 premises and
a total of 669 displays were examined. Minor breaches of the Orders were dealt with by
verbal warning. One infringement was reported. This was a case in which three joints
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