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51
PRESERVATIVES AND COLOURING MATTER IN FOOD.
The Final Report of the Departmental Committee on the Use of Preservatives and
Colouring Matter in Food was issued during the course of the year.
The recommendations of the Committee are generally in accordance with the views put
forward by the Council and, therefore, justify fully the past action of the Council in maintaining
a high standard of stringency in regard to the enforcement of the provisions of the Sale of Food
and Drugs Acts.
Following the consideration of the Final Report, the Council addressed a communication to
the Minister of Health pressing for the early introduction of legislation for giving effect to the
recommendations contained therein. It was also resolved that, pending the introduction of
legislation based on the findings of the Departmental Committee, the Council should re-establish
the policy maintained for many years past in regard to the administration of the provisions of the
Sale of Food and Drugs Acts, and a general intimation to this effect was conveyed to the traders
in the Borough.
In regard to the presence of copper sulphate in tinned vegetables, it may be said that the
Council's action has been particularly beneficial. In the year 1923, twenty-four samples of tinned
peas or beans, taken under the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts, were found to contain copper
sulphate, and in ten cases the Council took proceedings and obtained convictions. During 1924,
only one tin of peas containing copper sulphate was obtained. It may be said, therefore, that the
Council's action has practically eliminated the trade in copper sulphated tinned vegetables in
Kensington.
Traders have become aware of the Council's action and have withdrawn their stocks from sale,
with the result that the Kensington public have received very considerable protection.
SUPPLY OF EXTRA NOURISHMENT FOR EXPECTANT AND NURSING
MOTHERS AND FOR INFANTS.
The Council's scheme for the supply of milk to expectant and nursing mothers and infants
under the age of five years, and the supply of dinners to expectant and nursing mothers has been
described in detail in previous reports, and no modification has been required during the past
twelve months.
In the year 1924 there were 400 grants of milk made by the Council's Milk SubCommittee.
One hundred and fifty-five of the grants were in response to new applications,
and the remaining 245 were renewals of grant.
Twenty-two applications for dinners were granted; 11 of these were new applications, and
11 renewals.