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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.
No failures have been reported. Sixty-seven inspections of premises
at which milk is pasteurised or at which it is sold were carried
out during the year to ensure that the premises concerned conformed
to the requirements of the Milk (Special Designation) Regulations,
1960.
THE 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 50 premises have been visited in connection with the
Order,, and 67 articles of food have been examined. Two infringements
were disclosed. In one of these a canned meat product was described
as "Corned Beef" when in fact the product was corned beef loaf, to
which a different standard of meat-content applies. The seller was
sent a letter of caution A letter of caution was sent to a retailer
who sold as cooking chocolate a substance which should properly have
been described as couverture,
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 area of
Twickenham, nevertheless has the effect of protecting the residents
of your 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 foods 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 manufacturers of four brands of milk pudding which were
described on the label as "creamed rice" were challenged on the
ground that the product was in fact a rice milk pudding and not
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