FOOD AND DRUGS.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 July 1923, Page 4

FOOD AND DRUGS.

NEW ROWERS OF SEIZING. WELLINGTON. July ■!. Important changes in the Sale of Foods and Drugs -Pet ate proposed in an amending Bill, in eluuge of Sir Maui Roma re. Minister of Health. The expression “drug” will embrace not merely medicine and anaesthetics, as at present, lint also soaps, dusting powders and unguents, also disinfectants, germicides, antiseptics and preservativeused for any purpose. Hales, it is proposed. will he extended to include any portion of a meal for which payment is made or expected, and which is supplied for consumption at hotels, shops, lvsttittrants, eating houses or at -tails and other places.

Another provision in the Bill is that an (.•diver may obtain samples lor analysis without informing the seller that the fend or drug is to he subjected to analysis, as lie must do under the existing Act. or without paying or tendering payment as he must also do under the Act. but in the event of an officer securing samples in that manner no proceedings for offences under the Act are permitted. Wider scope, also is suggested in the matter of seizing unwholesome food or drugs, in that an officer may seize unclean, damaged, deteriorated or perished goods, or goods deleterious to health or containing any decomposed organic substance. ft is proposed that it shall be an offence for any one to publish in a newspaper, or by posted circulars, or by printed matter exhibited in any public place any statement, design or device relating to a food or drug he sells. or to any ingredient thereof, which directly or by implication is contrary to the particulars he must supply on the package under the present Act, or which is likely to deceive purchasers ns to the properties of the commodity.