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The total number of samples taken shows a considerable decrease from last
year's figure of 300 and the number of unsatisfactory samples decreased from
14.
The following is an extract from the Chief Officer's report on the unsatisfactory
samples:-
''Cakes. This was a sample of cake described as "Chocolate Roll" which was
found to be deficient in dry fat free cocoa and therefore should not have been
called Chocolate roll. The firm was prosecuted and fined £15.0.0d. and ordered
to pay £3 17 0d, costs, The Manager of the firm was also prosecuted for aiding
and abetting in this offence and was fined £2.0.0d.
Ice Cream, Two informal samples of ice cream, both obtained from the same
vendor were found to be deficient in fat, A formal follow- up sample proved to
be genuine and no further action was taken.
Liver. Two samples, sold as "Lamb s Liver", were found to be pig's liver.
Proceedings were instituted against both firms. In one case the summons was
dismissed, no costs being allowed: in the other case a fine of £2.0.0d. was
imposed and the firm ordered to pay £1.1.0d. costs.
Non brewed Condiment. This was found to be a sample of non-brewed condiment
deficient in acetic acid - see comments on vinegar, below.
Sausages etc A tin of "Cocktail Sausages in Brine" was purchased from
a firm of retail grocers. It was found that the sausages were contaminated by
metallic tin and unfit fox human consumption. This was the last tin of these
sausages in the firm's possession, and had been in stock for some considerable
time. An official caution was issued.
Victoria Plum., This was a tin of plums sold as "Victoria Plums" but upon
examination found to be Ponds Seedlings. The firm of retail grocers who sold
and described them as "Victoria Plums" was prosecuted and fined £10 0 0d. and
ordered to pay £5. 5. 0d costs.
Vinegar,, The five unsatisfactory vinegar samples were sold in all by two
retailers. Two samples purchased from the same retailer as the Non-brewed
Condiment mentioned above and associated with that purchase were found to be
non brewed condiment deficient in acetic acid The retailer was prosecuted and
fined £1.0.0d. and ordered to pay £2.2.0d. costs. In the other case, three
samples from the same retailer were found to be non brewed condiment. An
official caution was issued.
Merchandise Marks Act, 1926 Imported Food Orders.
During the year 180 premises were visited and 695 displays of meat, apples,
tomatoes poultry dried fruit, and salmon were examined. three cases arose of
misdescription and failing to mark imported food with the country of origin
The first case concerned displays of Italian pears and Plums which were falsely
described as "Empire", and of Australian apples not marked with the country of
origin. The retailer was fined a total of £4.0.0d and ordered to pay £2.2.0d
costs in respect of the misdescription, and an official caution was issued in
respect of the apples. Proceedings were authorised against a second retailer
for displaying New Zealand apples not marked with the country of origin. He was
fined £2.0.0d. and ordered to pay £1.1.0d. costs, The third case was of display
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