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82
Food rejected during the current year was some 4 times that of
the previous year and it will be observed that of the total goods
found to be unsound and unfit for human consumption the largest
proportion consisted of:—
(a) Pork Condemned at a large cold storage plant on account
of advanced and excessive rancidity. Consisted mainly
of sow and boar fore and hind-quarters, sides and
middle cuts.
(b) Stewed A consignment of canned Army stores, the warrant
Steak of which had expired and the contents were suspect.
(canned)
(c) Cherries Contents of cans found to be blown, leaky, perforated,
in Syrup etc., at a Charlton warehouse were used for pig food.
(canned) Others found to be slightly blown with hydrogen were
reported on as being free from pathogenic bacteria and
suitable for human consumption if used for manufac
turing or catering purposes only. Medical Officers of
Health of Boroughs in which the purchasers of these
hydrogen swells' operated were furnished with full
particulars in order that they could take appropriate
steps to ensure that the fruit was disposed of in
accordance with the Analyst's report.
Included in the food rejected was an item of fruit flavoured
sherbert and liquorice ' amounting to some 784 lbs. in all and this
rejection warrants special mention.
On receipt of a letter from the Medical Officer of Health of
Dudley alleging adulteration of a packet of sherbert which had been
supplied by a manufacturer in this Borough, a formal sample was
obtained and this was found to be grossly adulterated with French
chalk (24%). As a result, the complete stock was surrendered to
the Senior Food Inspector and disposed of in such a manner as to
prevent its use in food for human consumption. The supplier
claimed that he only packed and distributed the commodity and
that his stock was acquired from 2 manufacturers from outside the
Borough. The M.Os. H. of the Boroughs concerned were advised
of the position in order that appropriate action could be taken.
Public Health (Meat) Regulations, 1924/52.—These regulations
provide for the supervision of slaughterhouses, butchers' shops,
stalls and the protection of meat against contamination by dirt and
flies, etc., in transport and handling.