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63 -

Tins, jars, packets or cartons of fruit, vegetables and
miscellaneous foodstuffs 14,051
All food condemned as unfit for human consumption is
collected by the Council, taken to their refuse destructor in Wood
Lane and destroyed. In no instance were large quantities of food
involved, necessitating special examination of stocks of food.
Complaints by purchasers of unfit food
During the year 18 complaints were received from members of
the public, alleging the unsatisfactory condition of food purchased
by them in the borough. The complaints generally related to the
presence of foreign matter in foods, and the unsatisfactory condition
of bread, ham, cider, frozen steaklets and Turkish Delight.
In one case legal proceedings were taken against the
manufacturers of a loaf of bread, which contained dirt. At the Court
hearing (March, 1962 ) the firm pleaded guilty and were fined £5-0s.0d.,
and £2. 2s. Od. costs were awarded to the Council.
In a further seven cases, the Public Health Committee
decided to send warning letters to the vendors or manufacturers
concerned.
The remaining ten cases were dealt with informally, either
owing to the lack of sufficient evidence, or to the complaint not
being substantiated.
Adulteration of Food
During the year, 563 formal samples of food and drugs
were purchased, of which 24(4.3%) were either adulterated or
otherwise unsatisfactory. 437 informal samples were also
purchased, of which 24(5.5%) were either adulterated or otherwise
unsatisfactory. The following table summarises the action taken
in respect of defective samples:-