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(e) Honey and Sesame Spread.
This article was sold with a label claiming that the food was naturally rich in
proteins and calcium. It was found that the proportion of proteins was small and that
the calcium content was equivalent only to one-twentieth of the body's daily requirement.
To justify the claim that the food was rich in this mineral, the amount of calcium
should have been one half of the daily requirement. The retailer and the manufacturers
were notified of the misleading claim and, as a result of this, the product was re-labelled
and the reference to proteins and calcium were removed from the label.
(f) Dairy Topping.
This was a sample which was found to consist of homogenised and sterilised top
of the milk. Under the provisions of the Labelling of Food Order, the designation of
an article of food must be specific and not generic so as to indicate to a prospective
purchaser the true nature of the ingredient to which it is applied. The description of
this article was not considered to be an appropriate designation for the purposes of the
Order. The manufacturers were accordingly informed and subsequently introduced
new labels on which was added the words "a pure dairy product made solely from milk".
The amended labels were accepted as indicating a truer description of the product.
(g) Scotch Whisky Flavoured Marmalade.
This sample was found to contain no whisky nor alcohol. It was ascertained, however,
that the ingredients of the product included whisky and whisky flavour essence
but as these were added prior to the boiling process the alcohol evaporated during the
boiling. Following correspondence with the manufacturers, new amended labels were
brought into use.
(h) Strawberry Pie Filling.
This was an article containing more than two ingredients. Although the ingredients
were listed on the label as required by the Labelling of Food Order, one of the
ingredients "vegetable gum" was considered to be a generic and not a specific name.
The importers of the product which was manufactured in Canada were notified of the
contravention and they arranged with the manufacturers to print new labels altering
the generic term "vegetable gum" to the specific one of "locust bean gum".
(i) Tumeric.
This article is a plant of the ginger family used as a condiment especially in curry
powder. The article itself was considered genuine but there was an infringement of
the Labelling of Food Order in so far as the address of the packer was not specified on
the label. Representation was made to the importers and new appropriate labels were
introduced.
(j) Black. Olives.
The ingredients of this article were given in minute lettering as olives, salt, vinegar.
It was considered that the word "vinegar" was a generic and not a specific name and
that the lettering was so small as to be inconspicuous. The importers were informed
of the contravention and they arranged for the manufacturers in Italy to print appropriately
amended labels.
(k) Strawberry Puffs.
This informal sample was sold in a container labelled "Strawberry Puffs—Filling
contains butter and strawberry jam". Upon analysis it was found that the sample was
a pastry containing a filling of imitation cream and strawberry jam but no butter.
Efforts to obtain a formal sample were unsuccessful as the retailer had discontinued
selling the product. The Health Department of the Authority in whose area the
strawberry puffs were being manufactured were notified of the report and a formal
sample taken by them resulted in the manufacturers being prosecuted and fined £20.
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