PURE FOODS.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 5089, 7 August 1907, Page 2

PURE FOODS.

A most important measure which has been introduced into the present session of the New Zealand Parliamentis Jjr Hornsby's Pure Foods Bill, llic BiUv i f becomes law, will render impossible many questionable expedients and devices whei-ehy people are imposed upon by designing manufacturers «nd agents. * Food, according to the Bill, comprises "every article which is used lor food or drink by man, or which enters into or is used in the composing or preparation of any sucH articles." All flavouring matters and condiments come under the provisions of the Bill, whilst any article of hui'uan consumption may be seized for analy&ivS, even if it be in a private house. Medicines are also included. Any person who has reason to believe he has been imposed upon in the sale of any article lor human consumption, has the right upon payment of a small fec^ for the services of the analyst, /to require any constable t«~. purchase a sample of the suspicious substance, and submit it lor analysis. Officers of the Health Department or any constable authorised by the chief health officer, have power to enter and inspect any place in which they have reasonable cause to believe food is intended for sale, and to seize any which appears to bo unwholesome or deleterious to health. There is no power to enter a private house, but otherwise the officers' range of action is very wide, extending to butchers' or bakers'

carts. ami to the kitchens of reslaunuUs. -The measure brings all articles of consumption irmier the closest scrutiny. Many tirawds of coffefc, cocoa, tea. tobacco, etc.. for which there is a big demand, .are often niixisi with ingredients not specified on thy label, but Mr Hornsby's Bill,

wiih u4i iinpui-tant exception, requires ihv article sj)etiiietl lo coirtatn in>th-

«ng but its corix-ct iiv^ivilients, if it

■ W imtii vtnn- ui^K-r th,« Lao o» the IVparttiiMii. fMailcrs who deal in Jcod compounds arc tooted against

prosecution for adulteration if they secure a warranty from the wholesale merchant. The latter, in turn, may reply on a warranty from the manufacturer, but no warranty given toy any person residing outside the colony can -be. held to toe a good dofence to an action unless the defendant prcves that he had taken reasonabU steps to ascertain, and did, in fact, toelevo in the truth of the matters set forth in the warranty relied upon. Extensive powers are given to make regulations toy Order-in-Councit gazetted. These regulations may prescribe the standard of strength, -weight, 1 " quality, or quantity of any food or drug, prohibit any objectionable mode of manufacture, prescribe the mode and nature of labelling upon food or drug packages, and prohibit the sale of specified articles of food other than toy weight. Merchants and shopkeepers will be allowed an opportunity before the Bill, if passed into law, comes into operation, to dispose of goods, which comply with the present requirements, though they would not satisfy the requirements of the new law. They will be allowed to sell for twelve months any articles of food, or drugs, so Icng as such articles were really part of their stock-in-trade, cr had been purchased before the passing of the Act.