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Chemical samples
Regular sampling of food and drugs was carried out by the
food section within the department for submission to the
Public Analyst for examination. In addition samples
submitted by private persons usually in support of a food
complaint were similarly examined. During the year 63
formal samples, 419 informal samples and 41 private

Milk samples
The samples of milk examined were all as a result of
consumer complaints and included the presence of foreign
matter such as moulds and foreign matter indicating the
inadequacy of bottlewashing. In one case where a
consignment of school milk was found to be sour during
the morning break, it was subsequently ascertained that 60
cartons of milk had been mishandled and delivered sour.
Legal proceedings resulted and a £20 fine was imposed with
£10 costs.
Other food samples
Of the 80 samples commented upon adversely by the Public
Analyst, many were as a result of specimens submitted in
support of consumer complaints and included: mould in
baby foods; jute string in peppercorns; samples alleging
butter was margarine; insects in flour; fruit flies in canned
fruit; a cockroach in a meat pasty; a garden slug in cheese;
human hair in ice cream; a "catty" odour in corned beef
and a number of cases involving foreign bodies in bread.
Misleading claims and false description
Misleading claims were found in respect of 6 samples
including:— cream buns which were found to be filled with
synthetic cream, (the description cream is permitted only
when the cream is derived from milk fats); 3 samples of
crisps which claimed "28% added protein to the flavouring",
whereas analysis revealed that such a claim was invalid and
one packet of seasoning mix where the pictorial device on
the label suggested the presence of chunks of meat, whilst
the contents were small particles. In each of these cases
labelling amendments were immediately introduced by the
manufacturer. One"further sample, a Blackcurrant Drink
claimed the presence of 150 milligrammes of vitamin C
whereas analysis revealed only 35 milligrammes to be
present. Hie label on this bottle also suggested it contained
double vitamin C whilst a survey of similar products
produced an average vitamin C content of 80 milligrammes.
Legal proceedings were instituted in this case and a fine of
£35 was imposed with £15 costs.
Food additives
A number of samples were found to contain non-permitted
or excessive amounts of food additives:— a non-permitted
colouring matter Ponceau MX was found in a number of
cans of plums. (This colour was removed from the
permitted list because of suspicions that it might cause
cancer). As a result of finding this colour, a survey of the
canned red fruits on sale in the borough was carried out and
a number of shops were found still to have old stocks
containing the colour. These were destroyed by
arrangement with the shops and manufacturers concerned.
A quantity of imported cheeses were found to be coated
with paraffin wax which is a mineral hydrocarbon the use
of which is restricted by regulation. These were removed
from sale. Several samples were found to contain excessive
or non-permitted preservatives, these included a sample of
minced beef containing sulphur dioxide, two samples of
plum spread and a fruit dessert containing sorbic acid.
Labelling
During the course of sampling many incorrect designations
or deficiencies in the list of ingredients are found on the
labels and in general, manufacturers are willing to provide
new labels for the products, when such matters are drawn
to their attention. During the year 34 such alterations were
made as a result of action by this department.
Food deficient of standards
Fewer samples than usual were found under this heading
this year and only 3 such samples were reported upon.
Two samples, a pack of nutmeg and a can of curried lamb
were found to be deficient of the required constituents.
One was found to be part of bankrupt stock and formal
samples, necessary to institute proceedings, could not be
obtained. The other was due to a loss of volatile oil through
it's packaging, caused by excessive storage and, when
followed up, no further stocks could be found. The third
sample was of an orange drink deficient in the necessary
amount of orange. Analytical opinion was divided upon the
means of determining the fruit content of this drink and
subsequent discussions resulted in the manufacturers
adopting a higher standard.
Drugs
Of the four samples commented upon adversely under this
heading two concerned labels which did not state the
percentage of active ingredients present and, by agreement,
the manufacturers re-labelled these products. One sample
of witch hazel cream claimed the presence of lemon oil but
this was not substantiated on analysis and further
investigations revealed this was part of the liquidated stock
of a bankrupt company and the product was withdrawn
from the market. A sample of hay fever mixture sold as a
herbal remedy was found upon analysis to be seriously
deficient in the amount of glycerin claimed. This case
resulted in legal proceedings and a fine of £25 with £6
costs.
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