Report of the Director-General of Public Health, New South Wales.

  • New South Wales. Department of Public Health.
Date:
[1937]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of the Director-General of Public Health, New South Wales. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    43/154 (page 31)
    Spirits.—Action was taken concerning the misuse of the terms overproof” ami O.P.” on the labels of containers of underproof rum. Several hotelkeepers were convicted for such misstatements. Steps were also taken to prevent the false declaration of country of origin appearing on bottles of whiskey. A complaint concerning the presence of methylated spirits in a sample of whisky submitted to the Department proved to be without foundation. A.P.C. Preparations.— Action was taken to investigate the labelling and other requirements controlling the sale, of these preparations. Apart from minor labelling breaches, the position was satisfactory. One prosecution was instituted on account of a misstatement concerning the proportions of the declared drugs. Disinfectants.—Continued attention was given concerning the labelling of this article, and it now appears to lie in a satisfactory condition. Several instances were met with of disinfectants being exposed for sale in branded food containers, and convictions were obtained. In one instance a packer was using bottles branded “ Scott’s Emulsion Cod Liver Oil,” and another was using bottles branded either Whisky ” or Benedictine.” Fruit and Vegetable Markets. Premises in the Metropolitan, Newcastle, and other districts used for the wholesale marketing of fruit and vegetables were given special attention resulting in a considerable improvement in the prevailing conditions. In Sydney, the new Municipal Markets, the construction of which is almost completed, will materially lessen the likelihood of contamination of food exposed for sale therein. Fancy Names.—There is a growing tendency for manufacturers to apply misleading fancy names to food mixtures, and it was found necessary to restrict the use of such terms as “ Cream,” ” Jellv Cream,” Butter,” and “ Milk Jelly Crystals.” Amended Regulations.—During the latter part of the year revised regulations under the “ Pure Food Act, 1908,” came into force, and should prove of great benefit. Standards are provided, or amended, for bread (and varieties thereof), tripe, rennet, milk-chocolate, salt, ice-blocks, etc. A standard was also laid down for enamel-ware, excluding the use of poisonous glazing materials. Other useful amendments have been made dealing with the handling of food in general. Quackery—Advertising of Patent Medicines, etc.—A good deal of work, necessarily restricted on account of the limited available powers, was carried out in connection with this matter. Costly advertising campaigns are apparently being conducted concerning the alleged merits of competitive patent medicines, each firm endeavouring to surpass its competitors in the claims made, either by testimonials or otherwise. Misleading statements concerning many of these preparations continue to be made through radio broadcasts. Foods (Other than Milk) and Drugs submitted for Examination.—The attached table gives a list of the wide range of food and drugs which were submitted by this branch during 1937, the prosecutions undertaken in connection with adulterated samples being summarised in the table. The total number of samples of food (including milk) and drugs submitted by officers of this branch during the year was 25,605. Inspections of Premises Used for the Preparation, Sale, or Storage of Food.—In 1937, inspections were made of 8,781 food premises in various parts of the State. Prosecutions for failure to keep premises clean numbered twenty-six, and fines and costs imposed amounted to £124 18s. Legal Proceedings.—A total of 457 prosecutions was undertaken in 1937, the fines and costs amounting to £1,174 16s.; 445 of these prosecutions were under the £' Pure Food Act, 1908,” and the fines and costs totalled £1,143 11s. There were twelve prosecutions under other Acts, as follows: Venereal Diseases Act, 1918(8); Nurses’ Registration Act(l); Private Hospitals Act (2); Dentists’Act (1). The fines and costs imposed amounted to £31 5s. Details of the work carried out in 1937 are given in the attached sheets. C. V. FRANCIS, Chief Food Inspector.