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16
addition of preservatives in Margarine and for this reason the
Public Analyst returned them as being non-genuine. Under
Emergency Powers (Defence) Regulations, however, the addition of
Borax is permitted, under licence by the Minister of Food. No
action, therefore, was taken.
Egg powder.—This sample contained a small amount of sugar
introduced apparently to overcome a bitter taste.
Fruit and Vegetable essences or substitutes.—Four commodities
were affected. In two the wording on the packets was such that
it was considered inadvisable to proceed further. A prosecution
was undertaken in one case with the result that a fine of £20 was
inflicted and the Corporation was awarded 20 guineas costs.
The remaining sample was a vegetable essence which contained
a preservative contrary to the Regulations. This was not of a
serious nature and a warning was issued.
During the year Regulations were made by the Minister of Food
making it necessary for all manufacturers of Food Substitutes to
be licensed by the Minister.
OVERCROWDING.
There is nothing to report in regard to overcrowding
during the past year.
Applications to be supplied with the permitted
numbers for houses continued to be received and this
necessitated visits to and the measurement of 18 houses.
FOOD SUPPLY.
As far as possible, watch is kept on premises where
foodstuffs are prepared or sold, which includes slaughterhouses,
butchers' and fishmongers' shops, bake-houses,
dairies, cowsheds, etc.
The following foodstuffs were found to be unfit for food
and destroyed:—
Veal 24 lbs.
Eggs 555
Butter 109 lbs.
Beef 4 „
Bacon 10 „
Meat Roll 3 „
Luncheon meat 6 „
Ducks 4
In addition various quantities of food were dealt with
consequent on damage by enemy action.
There now remain only two slaughterhouses in the
district These were not used during the year.