PURITY OF FOOD.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLI, Issue 178, 30 July 1907, Page 2

PURITY OF FOOD.

■**■ HOW THE NEW ACT SECURES IT. The most important measure dealing with foods and drugs which has ever been placed on the New Zealand Statute Book went through Parliament recently,,and may therefore be said to have passed the worst ordeal of criti-' cism and amendment, and to have every chance of becoming law. As a number of important amendments were made in the Pure Foods Bill during its passage through the House, a summary of its provisions will be of interest seeing that they are destined to create a radical change in the nature of much of our food and drink. , " Food," according to the Bill, is not merely that which we consume.at our tables, but comprises every article which is used for food or drink by man, or which entei-s into or is used in the composition or "preparation of such article, and also includes flavoring matters and condiments. This means that not only is the breakfast mutton chop liable to be seized for analysis if it is not already in a private house, but that flavorings and sauces are also liable to have their claims to purity The'measure is called a•" Pure Food' Bill," but it- also seems to cover djugs which % are defined to include "medicine,' whether for.internal or external purposes." So comprehensive is the definition of "food" that a confectioner who us*d a few drops of an Imjjnre flavoring essence in- his sweetmeats would be liable to penalty. Any person who believes he has been victimised by, say, the wooden nutmeg or any form of adulteration of article intended for human consumption has a, right upon payment of the analyst s fee and the cost of a sample to require any constable to purchase a portion or the article suspected to be impure or adulterated and submit it for analysis. of the Health Department, or any constable authorised by the Chief, Health Officer shall 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 be unwholesome or deleteri--©us to health. There is no power to , enter a private house, but otherwise the officers' range of action is very wide, extending to butcher's or baker s carts and to the kitchen of a restaurant." , ' " ' Where the "new Bill breaks new ground is in its control*of proprietary fivticles sold.under particular brands. Generally well-advertised brands of tea. coffee, cooos, tobacco, soap, and pther commodities, for which there is a big sale, are often mixed with mgradients not specified on.the labex, 'out the new .Bill, with an important exception, requires " Blank's mustarc" to be nothing but the product of mustard'seed. If if is not, it comes under the ban of the Health Department. If there has been' a judicious introduction of flour this must be confessed on the label, unless, and this is the important point for owners of popular propriet-, ary articles, the Governor by Order-in? Council lias exempted the particular brand from the operation of the Act.. If "Blank'? 'mustard" has been slightly adulterated, but fs known to' be'a reliable article, the Governor may grant it exemption, and the label need not confess that there is a little flour in the compound. Most people prefer their coffee mixed with chicory, atid under a new sub-clause introduced in Committee it will still be possible for a manufacturer to sell a favourite coffee mixture including chicory without changing his present label. Retailers who deal in food compounds are protected against prosecution for adulteration if they secure a warranty from the wholesale merchan-i^ aiul +Tia latter, in turn, may rely on a warranty from the manufacturer, "tut no warranty given by a person residing outside the Colony can be held to be a | good defence of an action unless tns defendant proves that he has .taken reasonable steps to ascertain and did, in fact, believe in the truth of the matters set forth in the warranty relied upon. Extensive powers are given to 'make regulations by Order-in-Couneil gazetted. These regulations may prescribe, the standard of strength, weight, quality, or quantity cf any food or drug, prohibit 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 by weight. The'penalty'for a breach of the Act \ is £50 or under... To- giver mevchants an opportunity of disposing of stock in trade which, though not complying with the present law, would not meet the stricter provisions of the Pure Foods Bill, a special clause enables them to sell any food or drug within twelve months of the gazetting of regulations under the Act,, even if they don't comply with it, st> long as the articles were naturally part of the merchant's stock in trade o'Fhad been purchased by him before gazetting. The measure has yet to pass fine Legislative Council. It is intended to come into operation on January Ist, 1908.