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46
Arsenic in Apples.
The question of arsenic in apples aroused widespread interest
during 1925, when various tradesmen were prosecuted in this connection.
During 1926 further samples were obtained, which, upon
analysis, made it clear that apples containing arsenic were still being
sold in the Borough.
The samples analysed in October, 1926, revealed the presence of
arsenic to an extent varying from a trace to one-fiftieth of a grain per
pound. The Royal Commission on Arsenical Poisoning, in their report
issued in 1903, stated that it would be entirely proper that penalties
should be imposed upon any vendor of food if the substance is shown by
an adequate test to contain one one-hundredth grain of arsenic or more
in the pound.
Upon receiving the Analyst's report the facts were notified to a
representative of the International Apple Shippers' Association, with an
intimation that the matter would be brought before the Public Health
Committee with a view to legal proceedings being considered. Subsequently
I had an interview with representatives of the United States
Department of Agriculture and the International Shippers' Association,
who gave confident statements that efficient means were being taken in
the United States of America to prevent the export of apples containing
an undue amount of arsenic, and promised to enquire into the matter of
the occurrence of arsenic in the sample above mentioned. Immediately
after the interview these representatives called upon the retailer of the
.apples ("Jonathans,") who found the box in which they were contained
; the wholesaler and the salesman at Covent Garden were traced,
and from the enquiries made it appeared that these apples must havs
been shipped some time before October 4th (when the inspection in
America was started), and that the importers had promised not to sell
any more "Jonathan" apples of the brand in question. Shortly afterwards
apples were again extensively sampled in the Borough, but in no
case was arsenic found in such quantities as to call for any action to be
taken, whilst in many cases the apples were entirely free.
Sale of Food and Drugs Acts, 1875—1907.
505 samples were taken for analysis during the year. The
number certified to be adulterated was 22, or 4.3 percent, of the total
number, as against 5.9 in 1925.
463 samples (20 of which were adulterated) were purchased from
Hampstead tradesmen, and 42 (2 of which were adulterated) from
tradesmen coming from other districts.