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time permitted. Regulations permitting the presence of sulphur dioxide in chipped potatoes
were due to come into force within a few weeks and for this reason the seller was cautioned.
Examination of Natural Foods
In addition to samples of natural foods purchased in the Borough (54), labelled stacks
and displays of fish (29), meat (51), apples (77), citrus fruit (20), offal (21), and potatoes (19)
were examined in 120 shops. Formal samples are selectively procured based on these
examinations and labelled displays of natural foods where there is doubt as to the accuracy
of the label or where there is need for further more detailed examination. The inspectors
of the Department have, over a number of years, acquired a considerable expertise in the
identification of cuts of meat and varieties of fish and fruit. No serious infringements were
disclosed.
New Legislation
In 1962 regulations were introduced dealing with emulsifiers and stabilisers in food,
and with preservatives in food. In addition, there has been an amended food standard
relating to table jellies. The effect of the regulations dealing with emulsifiers and stabilisers
and with preservatives is to define and limit the additives, and (in the case of preservatives),
to extend the range of foods in which preservatives are allowed, and the types of preservative
which are permitted, but nevertheless closely limiting the quantities of such preservatives.
No infringements arising from the new regulations have been reported during the
year.
The Merchandise Marks Acts, 1887-1953
Inspections are carried out under the above Acts to ensure that the requirements of the
various Marking Orders relating to the indications of origin of imported foodstuffs are
applied. Inspections were made at 166 premises and 56 stacks and displays of meat, 109 of
apples, 71 of tomatoes, 68 of butter, 7 of bacon and 50 of other miscellaneous foods were
examined for compliance with the Orders. Minor infringements have been dealt with by
verbal warnings.
Safe Milk
Fifty samples of pasteurised or sterilised milk were procured from retailers in the district
and tested to ascertain whether or not pasteurisation or sterilisation had been correctly
performed. One failure has been reported. This was of a bottle of tuberculin tested pasteurised
milk which failed the methylene blue test and in respect of which the notice of failure
required by statute was sent to the licensee. Seventy-seven inspections of premises in which
milk is pasteurised or at which it was sold were carried out during the year to ensure that
the premises concerned conformed to the requirements of the Milk (Special Designation)
Regulations, 1960.
Sixteen samples of raw milk were procured and tested for the presence of tubercle
bacilli. All were satisfactory.
Labelling of Food Order, 1953
This Order requires prepacked food to be marked with the name and address of the
packer or labeller, or to bear a registered trade mark; to be marked with its common or
usual name or its appropriate designation; and to bear a statement of ingredients if the food
consists of more than one ingredient. It also controls the manner in which the presence of
vitamins and minerals is disclosed. A total of 103 premises have been visited in connection
with the Order, and 536 articles of food have been examined. Arising from these inspections
in the borough a firm was sent a letter of caution for failing to disclose the ingredients on
packets of mixed vegetables.
A letter of caution was sent to a manufacturer of sweets which were claimed to be
"made with fresh dairy butter, glucose and treacle." Because only 6 % of the total 11 % of fat
in the sweets was milk fat the manufacturers' advertising literature was altered so as to make
clear that although butter fat was present it was not the only fat used. A retail shopkeeper
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