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It was alleged that the powder was on a wide sale to the meat
trade throughout the U.K., the Continent and in America, and that
provided it was correctly used at the recommended rate of 2 ozs. to
30 lbs. of meat prior to mincing, there was no danger. It was stated
by the firm of butchers in question that the powder was used in all
their shops, which numbered 140, and that no complaint had been received
previously.
Nevertheless the manufacturers decided to adjust their formula
and use a much lower concentration of nicotinic acid in order to give a
greater margin of safety against misuse.
Considerable publicity in the national press was given to this
practice, from which it appeared that at least three brands of dusting
powders were in use by the meat trade.
The Council considered that the use of the powder was highly
undesirable as -
(1) it could cause a reaction which might be serious
in a person suffering ill health;
(2) it added something to meat not demanded by the
customer;
(3) it produces an illusion of freshness which might
mask staleness or deterioration.
Representations were made by the Council to the Metropolitan
Boroughs' Standing Joint Committee and to the Ministry of Health and
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, with a view to prohibiting
the use of the powder.
The Meat (Treatment) Regulations, 1964, were made and came into
operation on the 23rd January, 1964. These regulations make it an
offence to sell, consign or deliver any raw and unprocessed meat intended
for sale for human consumption which contains any ascorbic acid, erythorbic
acid, nicotinic acid, nicotinamide or any salt or derivative of any
of these substances.
Complaints by purchasers of food
During the year 33 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,
meat pie, liver, cheese, sausages, confectionery and meat.
Of these complaints 8 cases resulted in the Public Health
Committee instructing the Town Clerk to institute legal proceedings
and in each case a conviction was awarded.
In 8 cases, the Public Health Committee decided to send
warning letters to the vendors or manufacturers concerned.
The remaining 17 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, 479 formal samples were submitted for
analysis by the Public Analyst, of which 19 (3.96%) were either
adulterated or otherwise unsatisfactory. 521 informal samples were