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flavour, it is doubtful whether any appreciable quantity could have
been added to allow for the pretence that it can affect the flavour.
A chutney possessed an unpleasant odour and was stated to have
a slimy taste. Chemical examination showed the chutney to be satisfactory
in the ordinary way, but the unpleasant odour was thought to be
due to a fair percentage of wild mango being employed. Wild mangoes
possess a turpentiney flavour and some are actually poisonous and
should not be employed for chutney.
Several food samples and dust from scaffolding were submitted
in connection with a complaint that a salmon mousse eaten at a party
had caused illness. They were examined for lead, arsenic, and other
poisonous metals, although the scaffolding dust contained enormous
quantities of lead and appreciable quantities of arsenic, it was
difficult to believe that this could have gained access to the food.
Only traces of trace metals could be detected in the food and though
the amount of arsenic was about 2 to 2.4 parts per million in the salmon
of one of the samples submitted, this was not high for salmon. All
the food samples were tasted and only the salmon possessed an abnormal
flavour but this was attributed to the fi6h not being too fresh before
canning. It was considered that some accidental contamination must
have gained access to the mousse during or subsequent to its preparation,
but, as the remains had been thrown away, the matter could not be
usefully pursued.
The purchaser of a packet of Pasta complained that it was
infested with insects, and examination showed these to be common grain
weevils or Calandra grania. The initial period of infestation was
estimated to be not less than three months previously, and as the
packets were not completely sealed the infestation could have taken
place anywhere.
A portion of a meal served in a restaurant was stated to contain
a small insect. The restaurant concerned specialised in Indian
dishes and the meal contained a small pupa of a member of the Coleoptera
(beetle family), possibly the Mexican grain beetle.
A complaint was also made about some brown foreign matter in a
bottle of Orange Crush. This was vegetable in origin and probably
crushed material from the calyx of an orange.
Another complainant stated that some meat purchased as
"casserole steak" possessed a peculiar odour and remained pink when
cooked. Salted beef containing nitrate had been supplied whereas a
good quality fresh beef should be used to make a casserole.
A complaint was received regarding some cheese purchased in
Chelsea and to your analyst it possessed an unpleasant odour and
flavour, though several people considered it satisfactory. It was
therefore reported as inferior.
Two apple puffs submitted for examination contained patches of
mould and yeasts. In view of the cold weather at the time, and the
rate of growth of moulds and yeasts at low temperatures, it appeared