Wednesday's report in this newspaper that the Bureau of Standards will be clamping down on roots drinks which have not complied with the testing and labelling regulations is a very welcome one.

It is not so much that we suspect the roots makers who have not followed the regulations of selling fraudulent goods, which may not contain the potent mixture that they claim, but moreso that the necessary care has not been taken to ensure sanitary production conditions. Good intentions do not necessarily mean the best of results and it would be a severe blow to the roots drinks industry as a whole if one drink was to be blamed for illness.

The Bureau of Standards' procedure seems to be exhaustive, as the story quoted a representative as saying "the companies should submit samples yearly for them to be tested to see if they are up to standard. We go in three to four times per year to inspect the premises to see if it is sanitary. We also check to see if the products are properly labelled." These measures are put in place to protect the consumer and we are happy that the rules will be enforced.

There will be, of course, those who resent the imposition of rules, claiming that it is interfering with the 'small man' and his business. However, for a business to grow and make more profit for the owner, it has to be organised and this would be a step in the right direction for those who want to get their affairs in order and take their business to a higher level.