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with respect to any foreign meat, shall give to the importer notice in
writing which, in addition to such other particulars (if any) as the
Sanitary Authority deem necessary or expedient, shall state that unless,
within twelve hours after the receipt of the notice, the importer gives to
the Sanitary Authority a written undertaking to the effect that, subject
to compliance in all respects with the requirements of any Regulations
made under the Public Health (Regulations as to Food) Act, 1907, and in
force for the time being, he will export the meat at his own expense, or,
in proceedings before a Justice in pursuance of those Regulations, he will
prove that the meat is not intended for sale for human consumption, the
Sanitary Authority will cause the meat to be destroyed under the
supervision of the Medical Officer of Health."
In accordance with this, I have received a general authority to serve Notices
under this Article, duly signed by the Town Clerk, in case of necessity.
METALLIC CONTAMINATION OF CANNED FOODS.
"An interesting report has been issued at the Local Government
Board by Dr. G. S. Buchanan and Dr. S. B. Schryver, on the presence of
tin in certain canned foods, which I abbreviate as follows:—
"Attention was prominently directed to the metallic contamination of
canned foods in 1906, when large quantities of such foods had been
returned from South Africa, and were found on analysis to contain
quantities of tin.
"This especially applied to certain beef essences.
"Practically all foods canned in the ordinary way become to some
extent contaminated with tin as a result of the contact of the food with
the tin plate of the can.
"Tin is taken up by meat extracts and essences to a greater extent
than by most other meat foods.
"Certain canned fruits and vegetables, especially canned peaches,
cherries, pears, apricots, etc., are liable to take up tin from the can in
consequence of their natural acidity.
"Tin plate is commonly employed in which the coating of tin has
been reduced to a minimum, with the result that a comparatively small
erosion will, in parts, expose the steel or iron of the plate and thereby
facilitate an electrolytic action likely to further hasten the solution of
the tin.