View report page

- 57 -
Despite the indications of the analytical results that
many manufacturers continue to sell genuine articles of some
nutritional value, I am concerned with the trend to supply the
public with comestibles which, although harmless, are of little
or no nutritional value. Should this trend continue it seems
likely that manufacturers will forsake genuine ingredients in
favour of cheaper and valueless substitutes.
It may be argued, that in the light of modern practice,
the purchaser is not prejudiced by being supplied with a
confection constituted with ingredients of a synthetic nature,
but it is not the practice to label such confections when
exposed for sale as "artificial" or "imitation".
This matter was carefully considered and correspondence
took place with the appropriate trade organisation and the
Ministry of Food. The matter was also considered in the
early part of 1955 by the Metropolitan Boroughs' Standing Joint
Committee who were of the opinion that it is desirable that the
composition of meringues should be prescribed by law, and they
proposed to make appropriate representations to the Ministry
of Pood.
In view of this, no further action was taken by the
Councilo
Cream - Bacteriological Examination
Fourteen samples of cream were submitted for bacteriological
examination during the year.Nine samples showed the presence
of coliform bacilli (non-faecal), whilst one sample contained
faecal coli. The other samples were found to be satisfactory.
In twelve of the fourteen samples the plate count was abnormally
high. Further investigations were made but these had not been
concluded at the end of the year.
In the early part of the year a warning was given over the
radio and in the Press regarding the discovery of typhoid
germs in imported canned cream. All shops in the borough where
cream is sold were visited, but only six were found to have stocks
of the cream in question. Nine samples were taken and submitted
for examination and all were found free from typhoid infection.
All retailers' stocks of this cream were subsequently recalled
by the importing agents, through the wholesalers.
Complaints by purchasers of unfit food
During the year twenty-one complaints were received from
members of the public who found food they had purchased to be
in an -unsatisfactory condition.
All these cases were carefully investigated and, in two,
the Public Health Committee authorised proceedings to be taken.
One of these related to the sale of bread containing string,
in respect of which proceedings were taken under the Food and
Drugs Act, 1938, and resulted in the vendors being fined
£10. 0s. Od. with £5° 5s. Od. cost. In the other case, which
concerned the sale of cheese contaminated by mice, the vendors
pleaded guilty and were fined £5. 0s. Od. with £2. 2s.Od. costs.
Of the remaining nineteen cases, warnings were sent to
the vendors or producers in seven cases, and in two other cases
the complaints were referred to adjoining local authorities.
It was not possible to take further action in respect of ten
cases owing to the lack of sufficient detailed evidence.
Unsound food
Seizure
Under Sections 9 and 10 of the Food and Drugs Act, 1938,