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The two Wharves Inspectors have been very busy under the Unsound Food Regulations
during the year. In Mr. Hoskins' district, which is the eastern one, practically the only food
product dealt with to any extent is grain, and this is very little trouble unless it happens to bo
damaged. During the year very large quantities of damaged grain came which had to be stopped
pending drying and sorting. After these processes it is not uncommon to find that the whole bulk
or the major portion is unfit for human food. This then is sold in very small quantities for the
feeding of cattle and fowl, and entails a tremendous lot of clerical w r ork. These small consignments,
which range in bulk from one quarter to several tons, have to be followed to their destination in all
parts of England and given in charge to other Sanitary Authorities so as to make sure they are not
used for human food.
The destruction of a large number of pigs' carcases found unfit for human food has also
given cause for considerable anxiety. The only thing they are fit for is boiling down for tallow, but,
unfortunately, some merchants who deal in this kind of article have a doubtful reputation and we
make a rule of not permitting any to go for this purpose until full inquiries are instituted and they
are stamped and numbered. They are traced to their destination and given in charge of the
Medical Officer of Health of the district in which the consignee has his works. This naturally
entails a good deal of labour.
The regulations on the whole have been a great benefit to the public, and since they have
come into force we have come to realise that large quantities of unsound food must formerly have
found their way into the markets and been disposed of in some way or other not beneficial to the
consumers. Powers are still wanted to compel owners of tinned goods, not only in wharves but
inland, to deliver up to the Sanitary Authority for their districts tinned articles which are unsound.
Some of the better class traders at present do this, but I am aware that very large quantities of
unsound tins are still dealt with for human food.
The following remarks by the Wharves Inspector of the west end of the Borough, Mr.
Ashdown, made in a report to me on his year's work, will give a very good idea of the work
required to be done in his district.
"There seems on the whole to have been an increase in food imports compared with the two
previous years, with the exception of meats, pigs' carcases, quarters of beef, &c. There has been a
considerable increase in the importation of Hussian bacon, but the smaller number of examinations
does not necessarily mean a shortage of imports, especially in meat products, which are often
temporarily stored prior to exportation, in which case they are not examined. A large percentage
of the pigs' carcases arriving with the heads on were found to show tuberculosis in the glands of
the neck, and were consequently seized. It may be pointed out, however, that had such carcases
been divided and sent here as bacon, wholly or partly cured, they would have been passed without
question, since they -would only come under the regulations if actually diseased. The amount of
possible danger to health is better realised if one considers that about 86,000 bales, averaging
4¼ sides per bale, were received here during 1911. When these consignments of bacon first arrived
it was necessary to stop a considerable number of one particular brand, but owing to the stringent
application of the regulations, interviews with the agents, &c., some of whom attended and saw the
nature of the examination and communicated with the exporters on the other side, the result was
that the quality greatly improved.
Pigs' heads, officially stamped, and other offal from the same ports were frequently found
diseased, and condemned, but this trade has now almost stopped.
Ox tongues caused some trouble, since some were sent with glands, and others ' short cut,' so as
to exclude the glands, the result being that many of the former were condemned, whereas the latter
escaped. Unfortunately ox tongues cannot be brought under any 'class' of the Foreign Meat
Regulations. I think some alteration should be made so as to include them.
Queensland beef has been arriving in better condition since the examination on the other side
for the parasite which is found in the flanks, briskets, and hindquarters sent over here has been
evidently a more rigid one. A large quantity of this beef was cold stored in the district and
exported, only that for home consumption being examined.
Butter imported has been above the average in quantity, but it is only occasionally dealt with
under the regulations A few consignments were found to be unfit for food, as they had gone rancid.
Eggs.—Special attention has been paid to these, and an endeavour is being made to get egg
merchants to deliver up the class known as 'spots.' A small spot occurring in an egg is generally
the first sign of putrefaction, but some people do not consider it unfit for food in the early stage.
Few merchants will acknowledge that these are sold for human food, but there is, no doubt, a considerable
trade done with these eggs among the Jews of the East End. An endeavour has been
made, with more or less success, to have them delivered up to the sanitary authority for destruction.
A little more control oyer these imports would seem desirable, since no egg can be considered good
for food once putrefaction has set in.
Soft Fruit and Vegetables.—These arrived in much better condition during the year than
formerly, and the regulations have led to more careful packing, with the result that the fruit
arrives here in much better condition.
Exportation of Foods.—Considerable quantities of frozen beef were re-exported to France,
Switzerland, and Italy after being stored here a longer or shorter time. Large quantities of butter
were re-exported to France.
Trade Competition.—There is a good deal of competition between the importers, wharfingers,
and others in London and the provinces, and a very small advantage, such as apparently a less
stringent examination at the port of entry, will often result in the diversion of considerable
quantities of food from a port where the examination is more strict. It is therefore very desirable
that there should be uniformity of examination at all the ports in the United Kingdom. The
Local Government Board have endeavoured to obtain this object, with the result that there has
been a great improvement, but judging from the reports which one hears further improvement is
needed."