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37.

The weight of the foodstuffs examined was as follows
Fresh fruit and vegetables 30,725 tons, preserved fruit and
vegetables 201 tons, cheese 279 tons, fish 50 tons, canned
meats, salami, etc. 1,121 tons, frozen rabbits 4 tons,
mustard and vinegar 5 tons, pig rinds 33 tons, biscuits,
chocolate and confectionery 739 tons, and poultry 12 tons
a total of 33,169 tons. The foodstuffs found to be unsound,
and which were stopped and destroyed, amounted to almost 21
tons.
During July, a truck of Italian peaches arrived in a
'wasty' condition. Examination showed about 30 per cent
to be unsound. The importers were requested to arrange
sorting but refused to accept delivery alleging that, the
major portion was unfit for human consumption. After
consultation between interested parties including Dr.
G. Fois of the National Institute for Foreign Trade, the
peaches were released and accepted by the importers for
sorting under proper supervision. A further consignment
which arrived some weeks later, also in a 'wasty' condition,
was similarly dealt with.
During September, a truck of pears arrived contaminated
with lead arsenate spray. Notification was received from
Harwich that samples showed excessive contamination.
Arrangements were made for the pears to be released on
arrival at Bishopsgate, on'the understanding that they were
washed, under supervision, before sale to the public.
Samples taken from a further truck of pears revealed only
slight contamination and these were released.
From time to time, samples of Italian apples, also
contaminated with lead arsenate spray, have been analysed,
but in all cases the amount of contamination was not excessive.