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FOOD & DRUGS (Cont.)
appropriate. If this description is
continued and such high proportions of
rusk found we should have to regard it
as an adulteration,
FOOD & DRUGS ACT, 1955.
Foreign matter in food.
A variety of complaints about articles of food were received
during the year, and the following were considered sufficiently serious
to necessitate report to the Public Health Committee for instructions.
(1) Foreign matter in Sliced Loaf. Complaint was made by a resident
who found a foreign object in a loaf of bread purchased at a shop
in the Borough. The foreign matter was subsequently identified
as a piece of paper of the type which is sometimes used to make
paper sacks, possibly a milk powder bag.
The Council issued a warning letter to the manufacturers in
this case.
(ii) Alleged unsound cooked pork. A complaint was received from a
local resident concerning the condition of some sliced cooked
pork which had been purchased at a shop in the Borough.
The complaint was investigated and the matter taken up with
the firm concerned.
As there seemed to be an element of doubt concerning the
condition of the pork at the time of purchase, the Council
decided to take no action beyond intimating to the shopkeeper
that they would not hesitate to authorise the institution of
legal proceedings should any justifiable complaint arise in the
future.
(iii) House fly in loaf of bread. A resident purchased a loaf of
bread at a shop in the Borough which was found to contain a
house-fly. After hearing the explanation of the manufacturers
the Council decided that a warning letter be sent to them.
iv) Nail in Fruitie Bun. A resident found a nail in a fruitie bun
purchased at a shop in the Borough. The matter was taken up with
the manufacturers and the Council decided that a strong warning
letter be sent to them.
(v) Chocolate Sponge affected with Mould. A resident of a
neighbouring district purchased a chocolate sponge at a shop in
the Borough. When the sponge was cut, it was discovered that
there was a mould growth running through the cake in addition to
a heavy growth on the underside.
The matter was taken up with the manufacturers and retailers
concerned and the Council decided to institute legal proceedings
against the retailers.
At the hearing before the Magistrates the retailers pleaded
guilty to an offence under section 2(1) of the Food & Drugs Act,
1955. A fine of £25was imposed and the Council awarded £5. 5. Od
legal costs and a further £3. 5. Od. in respect of the Public
Analyst's fee.
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