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for the Borough. J.A.O'Keefe, Esq.. O.B.E., Chief Officer, Public
Control Department, has kindly supplied the information in the table
on page 38 relating to samples taken in the Borough during the year
ended 3ist December, 1962. He reports:-A total of 285 samples was
procured and 3 were found to be unsatisfactory.
One of these samples was a seedless grapefruit which was procured
informally, because it was described on the stack as "seedless".
On examination this grapefruit was found to contain 61 seeds. Further
samples of grapefruit from the same shop were found to be satisfactory
and for this reason no action was taken in respect of the isolated
infringement. A resident in your area complained of a jar of marmalade
that it contained a foreign body. On investigation it was found that
the foreign body was a small sliver of wood which appeared to have
come from an orange box. It was not considered that the wood was in
any way harmful although, of course, it should not have been present.
The manufacturers were a large company with a good record, and in
view of all the circumstances they were sent a letter of caution.
A sample of cream cheese which was procured in your borough was
found to be deficient in milk fat. The sample was labelled "Soft
Cream Cheese" and should have contained not less than 50% of fat, in
fact it contained 36% of fat. The manufacturers agreed to amend their
label so as to make clear to the purchaser precisely what was being
offered. In these circumstances a letter of warning was sent to
them.
In addition to samples purchased in the borough labelled stacks
and displays of fish (115), meat (90), apples (307), citrus fruit (97),
potatoes (74), offal (49), plums (25), and vegetables (2), were
examined in 230 shops. Formal samples are selectively procured based
on these examinations of 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. The infringement relating to seedless grapefruit
reported above arose from these inspections.
In 1962 new 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 which
are permitted, and (in the case of preservatives), to extend the
range of foods in which, and the types of, preservatives which are
allowed, but nevertheless closely limiting the quantities of such
preservatives. No infringement arising from the new Regulations has
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
indication of origin of reported foodstuffs are applied. Inspections
were made at 322 premises, and 168 stacks and displays of meat,350
of apples, 163 of tomatoes, 119 of butter, 230 of poultry, 26 of
bacon, and 38 of other miscellaneous foods were examined for compliance
with the Orders. An official caution was sent to a retailer
who displayed apples of Italian origin as "Empire Produce".
Other minor infringements have been dealt with by verbal warning.
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