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38
Eight cases of the presence of foreign matter in food came to
light during the year. All were reported to the Health Committee,
on whose instructions legal proceedings were taken in two cases. Convictions
were secured in both cases, fines totalling £15 being imposed
and £12 12s. Od. costs awarded to the Council. The remaining six
cases were dealt with by cautionary letters.
Food Poisoning.
During the year six cases of food poisoning were notified. All
were isolated cases and of a minor nature, and call for no special
comment.
(B)—SAMPLING OF FOOD AND DRUGS.
The analysis of samples of food and drugs, procured under the
provisions of the Food and Drugs Act, 1938, or informally (i.e., without
following the procedure prescribed by the Act), and the examination
of samples of heat-treated milk and of ice-cream by the prescribed
tests, are carried out by the Public Analyst for the Borough (J. E.
Woodhead, Esq., B.SC, F.R.I.C, PH.c.) at his laboratory at 325 Kennington
Road, London, S.E.11.
Prior to 1952 it had been the custom, for many years, to take 1,200
samples for chemical analysis, plus an unspecified number of milk and
ice-cream for prescribed tests. The Public Analyst was paid a fee of
12s. 6d. per chemical sample, and a fee for prescribed tests varying
with the nature of the particular test. In December, 1951, however,
the Joint Negotiating Committee for Public Analysts, which had been
set up to consider the question of fees to public analysts, recommended
that, as from Ist January, 1952, the fees payable for chemical analyses
should be £1 1s. 0d. in the case of milk, and 355. for other articles,
with a proviso that samples involving specially difficult or complicated
analysis should be the subject of special local arrangements in each
case. The Council decided to implement the recommendations and the
opportunity was taken of reviewing the sampling practice in the light
of modern ideas and conditions. It was decided in future to take about
500 samples per year for chemical analysis, for a trial period. The
fees for prescribed tests on milk and ice-cream were not affected by
the recommendation of the negotiating committee.
The total number of formal samples taken under the Act during
1952 was 306, of which 5, or 1.6 per cent, were certified to be adulterated.
In addition, 194 informal samples were procured, of which 5, or 2.6 pet
cent., were reported against.