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cheese. Certain brands of pre-packed foods from foreign
countries and from the Commonwealth have come in for some
criticism both in the Borough and other parts of Surrey. For
example, salad creams Nos. 986 and A526, of Dutch origin,
were found to be deficient in egg yolk solids, and although
this deficiency is alleged to be due to a partial decomposition
and not to wilful adulteration, it is noticeable that the brands
of British manufacture are almost without exception satisfactory.
Similarly pastry mixture No. 1077 contained excess
of salt, and concentrated tomato soup of French origin was
contaminated with tin.
The samples included one of Syrup of Iron Hypophosphite
which contained only 50 per cent. of the amount of iron
declared on the label. This would appear to have been a careless
error either of calculation or measurement, since all the
other active constituents were accurately dispensed.
Finally, samples of Jelli-Block (two informal and two
formal) were reported against on the grounds that, although
they were in effect Jelly Table Tablets, they did not conform
to the legal standard in respect of sugar and soluble solids
content.
A wide sampling programme such as is indicated by the
above figures serves to remind shopkeepers, wholesalers,
manufacturers and importers alike of their duty to ensure
that foods and drugs are of the nature, substance and quality
demanded, and free from any misleading descriptions.
FOOD AND DRUGS ACT, 1938—Section 9.
Prosecutions.
(1) Coloured Cake Decoration Mixture. In December,
1949, a customer bought a small quantity of coloured cake
decoration mixture which is commonly known as " hundreds
and thousands " at a local shop. When sprinkling the mixture
over a custard, she noticed it contained numerous small
beetles. Official examination revealed the mixture to be
heavily infested with active and inactive beetles in various
stages of development. The beetles were of the type known
as the " drug store beetle " and the " spider beetle." As a
result of further investigation, the Company was successfully
prosecuted on three counts for selling, exposing for sale, and
depositing for the purpose of sale, cake decoration mixture
which was unfit for human consumption. The cases were
heard in February, 1950, and the firm was fined £15 (£5 on
each summons) and 25/- costs.
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