View report page

84
Unsound Food
Food sampling
During the year, 11 formal samples were submitted for analysis by
the Public Analyst, of which 5 (45.5% were either adulterated or
otherwise unsatisfactory. 1,009 informal samples were also submitted
for analysis, of which 73 (7.2%) were either adulterated or otherwise
unsatisfactory. It is now the policy of the Council to take formal
samples only in those cases where there is reason to believe a product
is well below the required standards, usually following an adverse
report on an informal sample.
In the case of one of the formal samples legal proceedings were
authorised, in one case a warning was given to the producer, and in the
remaining three cases no further action was taken. The results of all
unsatisfactory samples were brought to the notice of the producers,
manufacturers or vendors as appropriate.
Complaints
During the year, eighty 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 meat,
fish, sausage, pies, butter, fruit, bread, cream, sweets, cakes,
cooking oil, beer, minerals and frozen food.
Of these complaints, thirteen cases resulted in the Health Committee
instructing the Town Clerk to institute legal proceedings and in two
other cases the Committee decided to send warning letters to the vendors
or manufacturers concerned.
The remaining sixty-five cases were dealt with informally, either
owing to the lack of sufficient evidence or to the complaint not being
substantiated.
Surrender

All food condemned as unfit for human consumption is collected
by the Council, taken to the refuse destructor in Fulham, and destroyed.