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IX.—FOOD CONTROL.
Early in the year Mr. A. H. Merryman resigned from the post
of Food and Drugs Inspector after many years' service in the
borough and was succeeded by Mr. H. E. Butcher, and in July
Mr. G. L. Scott retired, having reached the age limit, his place
being taken by Mr. G. F. J. Toll. Although the work of the food
inspectors has the merit of variety, it is only occasionally that
incidents occur of sufficient general interest to justify mention in
the Annual Report.
Under the Public Health (Preservatives in Food) Regulations
a successful prosecution was undertaken by the Town Clerk
against three firms implicated in the sale to Mr. Butcher, the
Food and Drugs inspector, of " Drywite Potato Preparation"
which was described in terms likely to lead to its being used as a
preservative. Each of the defendant companies was also summoned
for selling the preparation—not being labelled in accordance
with the Second Schedule of the Regulations—as a preservative.
These latter summonses were not dealt with separately by
the magistrate. The preparation was intended to be added to
water in which peeled potatoes could be soaked for several hours
and then dried ready for frying. The label stated that "Drywite"
is a most powerful deodouriser. A little added to the
water when washing the fish will instantly remove any unpleasant
odour." A sample examined by the Public Analyst was found to
contain 3.5% of Sulphur Dioxide. A solution was prepared in
accordance with the directions on the label. Potatoes, soaked in
this solution and subsequently dried and fried, were found to
contain no Sulphur Dioxide. Cod fillets dipped in the solution
without being cooked, were found to contain 3.8 parts of Sulphur
Dioxide per million, and when the fillets were dipped in the solution
and then drained for two hours they were found to contain 4.7
parts of Sulphur Dioxide per million. Defending counsel said