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(a) Compounds of any of the following metals : Antimony,
arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, mercury, lead, zinc.
(b) Gamboge.
(c) Coal tar colours, such as picric acid, Victoria yellow,
Manchester yellow, aurantia, aurine.
The addition of thickening substances to cream is also prohibited.
A thickening substance is defined as sucrate of lime,
gelatine, starch paste, or any other substance which, when added
to cream is capable of increasing its viscosity, but does not include
cane or beet sugar.
There is a penalty, not exceeding £100, and in a case of a continuing
offence, a daily penalty not exceeding £50.
The effect of these Regulations should be to put an end to the
sophistication and drugging of food stuffs. Sanitary authorities,
including Battersea, for years past have urged the Central Authority
to promote legislation, prohibiting the use of substances euphemistically
called preservatives, in food stuffs. The addition of
such drugs may not only be injurious to health, but by inhibiting
incipient decomposition, which may be present in food stuffs,
enable the sale of foods unfit for human consumption. Their use
further had the disadvantage from the consumers' point of view,
of allowing the manufacturer of food stuffs to disregard the
necessity for scrupulous cleanliness in the preparation and storage
of food. It will be noted that in regard to certain preserved
articles of food, a time limit is allowed to enable traders to
adjust their businesses to the new conditions.
Fish Shops.
Fish shops in the Borough in which fish, either cooked or uncooked,
is sold, or in which the curing of fish intended for sale is
carried on number 68. All these premises are kept under
systematic inspection.
During 1926, 326 inspections were made and 12 notices were
served for various defects found on inspection.
Restaurant Kitchens.
The number of restaurant kitchens and eating houses on the
register at the end of 1926 was 99, an increase of 2 as compared
with 1925. During the year 295 inspections were carried out,
and in 31 cases it was found necessary to serve notices to remedy
defects which were mainly of a minor character.
Street Stalls for the Sale of Food.
There are in the Borough a large number of street vendors of
foodstuffs of varied character, namely—coffee, 10; vegetables and
fruit, 106; fish and poultry, 12; meat and rabbits, 6; sweets, 3;
other foods, 1.
Six notices were served for defective and insanitary conditions
of premises used by the street vendors for the storage of their
stock.