View report page

- 48 -
Unsound Food.
Food Sampling.
The practice continued during the year of taking formal samples
only in those cases where there was reason to believe a product was well
below the required standards, usually following an adverse report on an
informal sample.
1,111 informal samples were submitted for analysis, of which
69 were either adulterated or otherwise unsatisfactory. Nine formal
samples were also submitted for analysis, of which eight were either
adulterated or otherwise unsatisfactory. In the cases of five of the formal
samples, legal proceedings were authorised, details of which are given
at the end of this section of the Report. The remaining three formal
samples were dealt with satisfactorily on an informal basis.
The results of all unsatisfactory samples were brought to the
notice of the producers, manufacturers or vendors as appropriate.
Complaints.
During the year, 101 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, fruit, bread, cream, sweets, cakes, milk, cheese, beer,
vegetables, tea, yoghurt and honey.
Of these complaints, three cases resulted in the Health
Committee instructing that legal proceedings be instituted. The
remaining ninety-eight cases were dealt with informally, either owing to
the lack of sufficient evidence, or to the complaint not being
substantiated.
Surrender.
During the year, the following amounts of food were surrendered and
condemned as unfit for human consumption:-
Commodity
Weight.
(in lbs.)
Meat (raw)
1,145
Meat (other)
235
Ham and Pork
896
Sauerkraut
1,604
Cucumbers and Gherkins in brine
1,785
Butter and Cheese
42
Fish (wet and dry)
98
Sausage
389
TOTAL
6,194
Tins, jars, packets or cartons of fruit,
vegetables and miscellaneous foodstuffs
Items
6,804
Frozen foods (packets)
TOTAL
17,975
24,779
All food condemned as unfit for human consumption is collected by
the Council, taken to the refuse destructor in Fulham, and destroyed.