HC Deb 08 December 1938 vol 342 cc1340-1
20. Sir Adrian Baillie

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that present regulations result in adequately high standards being enforced for jam sold in this country and described as being made from fresh and pure fruit-juices; and whether he will consider the desirability of raising these standards in the interests of public health and in the interests of British fruit-growers?

Mr. Elliot

Jam is subject to the general food and drugs law, and I believe that this is being properly enforced by the local authorities who have that duty. Apart from the general law, there are also the standards for jam set up under the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Acts, 1928 and 1931, and those instituted voluntarily by the trade, and any question on those Acts should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Mr. Banfield

Is the Minister aware of the horribly low standards set up by the jam manufacturers and the very poor quality of jam which is foisted upon poor people, and will he inquire into the matter, because in many respects it is really a bit of a scandal?

Mr. Elliot

If there are any cases of this kind it is primarily the duty of the local authorities to deal with them.

Sir Frank Sanderson

Is it not recognised that jam is not necessarily made from fresh fruit or from fruit at all?

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