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Of the less usual articles it may r.e of interest to mention
a few such as s-
Shredded Coconut in syrup - a tinned article consisting of
coconut in shreds packed in a small quantity of a light syrup.
This otherwise excellent article would not keep once it was
opened, and the contents of the large tin would have to be used
within two or three days-
Essence of Dandelion Coffee - which, although clearly stated on
the label contained besides dandelion essence, a very considerable
proportion of coffee essence. Anybody expecting a
caffeine- free drink would therefore be disappointed,,
Milk whipping compound - Two or three of these have come on the
market during the last year They are designed to make a sort
of mock cream with milk and they contain both synthetic emulsifiers
and thickeners as well as gums obtained from natural
sources. The growing use of new synthetic chemical substances
in foods is something which will have to be watched very carefully
from a medical and public health point of view
Tea Extender Tablets - an ingenious article simulating the
natural properties of tea and containing added caffeine and
colouring matter For those who like this type of article
these tablets did fulfil the purpose implied in their description.
Red bone marrow with malt & chemical food - This proprietary tonic
contained relatively such small quantities of red bone marrow and
malt that its virtue rested almost entirely with the chemical food
(more commonly known as Parrlsh's Food). Exception was taken to
the description with the successful outcome indicated elsewhere.
Of the more common articles of food two require special
mention.
Ice Cream - The average fat content has rapidly increased during
the year and the minimum of per cent, fixed by the Ministry of
Food as a condition of supply of raw materials was soon shown to
be far below the average commercial quality of the ice cream on
sale to the public. As a result it was possible to take exception
to a sample showing only 3. 3 per cent. of fat and to suggest
5 or even 6 per cent. of fat as a reasonable minimum limit. in
fact the average fat content of the 31 samples submitted during
the year was 8. 9 per cent„
To conform with the actual quality of much of the ice cream
on sale during the latter part of the year the Ministry has now
made a much more comprehensive legal standard including limits
for fat, sugars, sucrose and milk solids This comes into force
in March, 1951.
Malt Vinegar - For several years much of the malt vinegar on sale,
particularly that sold as a prepacked article in bottles has contained
an addition of between 0.8 and 1 per cent of salt. This
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