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48
Food and Drugs Sampling
During the year 800 samples of food and drugs were purchased by the Sampling
Officer and submitted to the Public Analyst for chemical analysis. The Public
Analyst commented adversely on 48 or 6% of the samples submitted.
Of particular interest were the results of the sampling of currant and bun
loaves which took place. From the first batch of samples obtained it was found that
the fruit content varied between 4.5% and 16.3%. the cost per lb. of the loaf being
16.0d. in the former case and 16.9d. in the latter. The results of this first
examination led to a discussion with all the bakers concerned, with a view to
achieving a bun loaf which would have a minimum fruit content of 10%. It was somewhat
surprising to find that many bakers had no idea of the quantity of fruit that went
into their loaves others had a carefully measured quantity.
The investigation and the communication of results were welcomed by almost every
baker concerned and there was general agreement to reach and maintain a minimum of 10%
fruit content. By the end of the year this standard was being kept - in many cases
being well surpassed - by all but two or three of the producers.
The following details show the improvement achieved:-
Average fruit content of loaf on first sampling 8.0%
" " " " " when last sampled13.83%
49 samples involving 67 loaves were submitted during the course of the
investigations.
By the end of the year the sale of milk from automatic vending machines on the
forecourt of premises had been commenced at six sites. The extension of automatic
vending to other premises and a wider range of foods will undoubtedly follow.
Thirty complaints were received from members of the public regarding food which
were fully investigated.