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was cautioned because, in relation to sterilised cream, he used an advertisement offering
"thick" cream. Thick cream must have a butter fat content of not less than 48 % whereas
sterilised cream is required to have 23 % of butter fat. The misleading advertisement was
displayed in ignorance of the specialised meaning of "thick" in this context.
Labelling and Advertising of Foodstuffs
A considerable amount of work was done in the year which, while it did not arise from
samples and inspections in the Southall area, nevertheless has the effect of protecting the
residents of the County District. The matters mentioned below were of nationally retailed
articles of food, which are widely distributed throughout the county. Several manufacturers
and importers were reminded of the obligation to put on the labels of food the
name and address of the packer or labeller. Similar action was taken in respect of pickles,
canned peas and mixed vegetables which did not bear a statement of ingredients. One
manufacturer of ice cream was found to be putting all the statutory declarations on the
base of the carton. He was reminded that these declarations are required to be both conspicuous
and prominent.
Two advertisements for honey did not disclose that the honeys offered were of foreign
origin. The Merchandise Marks Act requires this, and letters Were sent to the advertisers
reminding them of their obligations to declare the origin in advertisements. Some prepacked
lamb chops found to be generally on sale were of imported origin. The declaration in
such a case is required to be in half-inch letters; the lettering used was so small as to be quite
inconspicuous, and the packers were required to comply with the prescribed conditions.
Matters dealt with under the Food and Drugs Act by correspondence included a
sample of cream cheese containing less milk fat than was considered sufficient to justify the
title. Five examples of cake-mixes, which were not complete mixes in that other additions,
such as egg or milk, were necessary before the mix could be used, were found. The manufacturers
were required prominently to show what additions were necessary.
The manufacturer of a lemon juice was challenged that a claim on the label for slimming
properties for the juice was not justified, and he amended his labels to delete the claim.
A manufacturer of a canned meat product claimed on the label that it was "full of lean
red meat." In fact, the meat content was no more than is normal for this class of product,
and the manufacturer was therefore challenged as to the accuracy of the claim. It was
withdrawn.
It was claimed for a sample of chopped pork that it contained "more meat." In fact the
percentage of meat was no greater than that of comparable products, and the manufacturer
was required to delete the claim.
The manufacturers of several breakfast cereals were challenged on the ground that the
labels claimed the foods to be "vitamin enriched." The vitamins present did not provide onehalf
of the daily requirement which, it is considered, is the minimum to support claim to enrichment.
The labels were amended to "vitamin fortified" which, because vitamins were
added, was true.
A sample of ice lollies, for which it was claimed that glucose was present, was found on
analysis not to be correct. The lollies originally, it was found, had been made with added
glucose, but glucose had been dropped from the recipe. The label was not amended to
conform to the new recipe and was therefore incorrect. Reference to glucose was deleted
from the new labels.
A sample of sodium fluoride tablets was found on analysis to be deficient of the stated
amount of the chemical. Because, in spite of the deficiency in the chemical, it was considered
that the efficacy of the tablets was not impaired, the manufacturer was not prosecuted but
was sent a letter of caution.
Two samples of instant coffee were found to contain sulphur dioxide, a preservative not
at the time permitted in instant coffee. The manufacturers and importers concerned were
sent letters of caution. Similar action was taken in respect of a sample of dried apricots
which were found to contain sulphur dioxide. The quantity of preservative would have been
satisfactory if its presence had been declared, and the manufacturers were required to
amend the label.
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