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The carton containing the sample was, however, labelled:—"Special
Notice. No antiseptics or preservatives are used in the manufacture of this
Pure Fruit Table Jelly." It will be noted that the makers do not say that
the sample is free from preservative, but merely that no preservative has
been added. The intention of the label is to convey the impression that the
jelly does not contain any preservative.
On the instructions of the Public Health Committee it was pointed out
to the retailers that the jelly contained preservative and their attention was
drawn to their label. The retailers replied that the jelly was not made by
them but the manufacturers had assured them that the jellies contained no
preservative as stated on the packet. In addition the actual manufacturers
wrote to say that, "We guarantee that no preservatives or antiseptics are
used in the manufacture of this jelly, and also all raw materials we use are
guaranteed to conform in every respect with the requirements of the Food
and Drugs Acts and all regulations relating to Food Stuffs now in force." This
is merely a more detailed version of the label and again does not admit the
presence of preservative.
The Medical Officer of Health informed the retailers that the jelly
contained preservative within the permitted amount, but that the notice
created an impression that the jelly did not contain preservative, and that
the notice should be withdrawn or altered in such a way as not to create a
wrong impression. The retailers finally stated that the notice on the carton
would be deleted in future.
Miscellaneous Samples.
Public Health Department.—53 samples examined for the Public Health
Department were made up as under:—
14 samples of various imported tinned foods were examined for the
presence of preservative. All the samples were free from preservative.
The samples consisted of:—Ham, Carrots, Peas (Copper absent),
Pineapple, Strawberries (2 samples), Sugar Peas (Copper absent),
Apricots, Cherries, Plums, Crosby Corn, Raspberries, Sausages and Pears
(The latter sample was in an unsatisfactory condition and contained
a trace—002 grain per lb.—of tin).
5 samples of finned Black Currants were unsatisfactory, cither
with regard to the condition of the contents or the condition of the tin or
both. The samples contained 0.9, 22, 2.2, 23 and 2.8 grains of tin per
pound respectively.