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In another instance, four members of two families were affected
by the contents of a pie, the chief ingredients of which were pickled
pork and fish (cod), with, in addition, a certain amount of stock. The
pie was made in an adjoining Borough for a meal on a Tuesday, and
a portion was brought to a friend in Hampstead on the following
Thursday. On the next day, members of two families partook of
the food and were quickly taken very ill. Fortunately they were
speedily removed to Hospital, and made good recovery.
In this case also both the Ministry of Health and the Public
Analyst made careful examination of the food. It would appear that
the sickness was due to the consumption of the pie at too long a
period after its preparation, in fact, at a time when analytically it
showed evidence of decomposition.
In the investigation of these sporadic outbreaks I am greatly
indebted for the help and advice of the Food Officers of the Ministry
of Health.
Sale of Food and Drugs Acts.
505 samples were taken for analysis during the year. The
number certified to be adulterated was 30, or 5.9 per cent. of the total
number, as against 4.9 in 1924.
462 samples (24 of which were adulterated) were purchased from
Hampstead tradesmen, and 43 (6 of which were adulterated) from
tradesmen coming from other districts.
The following table shows the articles of which samples were taken
during the year:—
Article.
Number taken.
Adulterated,
etc.
Apples
35
9*
Bacon
5
—
Baking Powder
2
—
Butter
52
4
Cheese
12
1
Cocoa
20
—
Coffee
8
—
Cream
40
2
Custard Powder
I
—
Drugs
17
Eggs, Dried
2
-
Fish-paste
5
—
Flour
6
—
Carried forward
205
16