SAUSAGE SAMPLES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 193, 16 August 1941, Page 11

SAUSAGE SAMPLES

TOO MUCH PRESERVATIVE

COURT FINES TWO FIRMS

Recently inspectors of the Health Department have been taking samples of sausages from butchers' shops to see that they comply with the standards demanded by the Sale of * ood and Drugs Act. As a result two firms were prosecuted on summons in the Police Court yesterday while others are shortly to come before the Court.

To the charge of selling sausages which contained more than the permitted amount of preservativesulphur dioxide, the firm of R. and W. Hellaby, Limited, pleaded guiltv. Senior-Sergeant Joyce said that under the Act on amount of 3.5 grains of sulphur dioxide to each 501b of meat was allowed, but anabasis of a sample taken from one of the defendant firm's shops showed that it contained 4.6 grains. It had been stated by the firm that one of its employees had been careless and had since been dismissed. Inspector Furness, of the Health Department, said in evidence that during his first visit of inspection when samples were taken and had been found to contain too much preservative, warnings were given. The prosecutions to-day were the result of a second visit to butcher's shops. It was pointed out by a representative of R and W. Hellaby, Limited, that his firm was always anxious to see that the correct quantity of sulphur dioxide was used in mixing the sausage meat. All managers had been circularised accordingly and instructed what quantity should be used. The sample in question had been taken from a shop which made its own sausages, and not from the firm s main depot. Always the meat and the seasoning were weighed separately. Despite the greatest care taken, it was impossible to guard against the human element and it was plain in the present case that the trouble had been due to careless mixing. A fine of £2 and costs was imposed To a similar charge, James Higeinson pleaded guilty. Senior-Sergeant Jovce said 7 5 grains of sulphur dioxide had been found in the sample taken from his shop Defendant explained that he had been using the same mixture for 16 years without experiencing any

I'You must take care in future" f ai< i 4l ]e magistrate, who fined defendant £2 and costs.