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or only 85 per cent. of the amount stated. An explanation from the
manufacturers was considered reasonable and no further action was
taken.
Cocoa.—The label on the packet containing this sample did not
state that it contained salt to the extent of 2.2 per cent., otherwise the
cocoa was entirely satisfactory. This was purely a question of labelling
and the manufacturers were able to satisfy the Committee that it was
old stock and that at the time the cocoa was being retailed in new
packets and did not, in fact, contain salt. Salt is often added to cocoa
powders but when it is done it must be stated on the label. No further
action was considered necessary.
Tea.—I was asked by the Food Enforcement Officer to go with him
to a shop where " tea off the ration" was advertised on a board
outside. 1 purchased a sample and it was certified to be mate tea. If
any offence had occurred it was against Regulation 1 (2) of the Defence
(Sale of Food) Regulations, tea probably being a false description
for mate lea or at any rate a description calculatcd to mislead. The
analyst pointed out that mate tea, although prepared from leaves ot
an entirely different plant, is in many respects similar to ordinary tea.
Moreover, the practice of mixing mate with ordinary tea is not uncommon.
The offending board was immediately removed and any
further action, if thought necessary, was left to the Food Enforcement
Officer.
Paste of Dates.—An informal sample of this commodity contained
0.01 per cent. cork, 0.3 per cent. crushed date stones and 1.2 per cent.
of sand and siliceous matter. The analyst's observations were as
follows :—
"This article is of very poor quality. The presence of several
pieces ot extraneous cork and of crushed date stones denotes lack
of care in preparation and in my opinion this article is not suitable
for sale for human consumption in its present condition".
The full details were given to the Food Executive Officer for transmission
tc the appropriate department of the Ministry of Food.
Golden Raising Powder.—This informal sample gave a yield of
available carbon dioxide less than that permitted by the Food Standards
(Baking and Golden Raising Powders) Order, 1946. A formal sample,
however, taken at a later date proved satisfactory. The irregularity
was no doubt due to it having been kept in stock for too long a period.
MILK.
During the year the following licences were issued under
the Milk (Special Designations) Orders :—
Dealers.
Tuberculin tested 4
Pasteurised 6
Pasteuriser's licence 1
Supplementary.
Tuberculin tested 6
Pasteurised 6
Seventy-six samples of milk were submitted for examination
by the phosphatase and methylene blue tests. I have given