MARKING FROZEN MEAT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10263, 22 January 1895, Page 7

MARKING FROZEN MEAT.

From ths fifsi; introduction of frozen meat into the Homo markets much has boca written on the subject, particularly ,13 to the desirability of raarkißS it in saeU a aianuer (without detriment to the meat) as will effectually put a stop to the gross misrepresentation under which the article has suffered and still suffers. The question arises: What particular object or benefit is to bs obtained by marking it ? The reply to this is: It is absolutely required for the good of the consumer, allowing this to be a most desirable end to obtain. The fnrthar query is: Can this ba done efficiently ? Several methods have been suggested and deemed unsuitable. There is, however, * patent in Now Zealnud and Australia which is believed to bfi in every way suitable for the purpose. Th's consists of an adhesive label of such a form or oiza as will bear on the face of it the exporter's name, his address and registered mark; also the initial letters of tho production—New Zealand mutton oe Australian mutton—apd the number of ihs New Zaaiand patent ia fair legible type. Being semi-transparent, the lettering shows distinctly. Tho nature of thesis I&bslfs is such that they ars not re-warkable for the jjqrjrosa of fraud, and tins, moreover, they cannot be used twice. Bsing guaranteed to imyrwfc neither atf-ina, tasi»,"nor cmell, they may remain on the joint until it ia cooked. It is claimed for this method th&t if a buyer insists on seeing a label (such es is here described) on the joint', or at least on the carcase from which it is cut, he would then gat the genuine article for his money. Practical illustration ot these labels has been submitted tn official's and experts in London and elsewhere, and by the latter they have baen raceived with approval for their efficiency, simplicity, will trifiiag cost to the exporter and their adaptability to the desired end—viz., ths supply of a genuine article do the consumer when labelled as described. If this system is adhered to misrepresentation is impossible, and althangh compulsory marking rtill remains in abeyance, fraudulent misrepresentation renders the perpetrator liable to legal penalties. The Bo:*td oi Trade »ud Chamber of Agdcnltare in London snd othsr p!ace3 have btten supplied with speoimenn. The cost of totalling n carcase when large numbers ire exported ia l&ss than a penny per carcase, even though several labels are. usod. New Zealand mutton ban been pronounced equal in quality to the Home bred and sold as such. If a plan of marking were made law it vor.id conduce to the I r.dvant.igs of the pi'eduasr, exporter, and the cononmer. Rules have bean euaotad for the dairy produce trade. Why should the frozen mutton trade not bs protected in such a way that the non-observancu of marking would be mada punishable ? When this is dona end identification thereby secured ths interests of the few will hays to give way to the good of the many.