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48
The Report of the Food Standards Committee on colouring matters, giving
recommendations relating to the use of colouring matters in foods, was published
during the year.
Circulars issued during the period under review include the following :—
1. The Public Health (Preservatives, fete, in Food) Regulations, 1925 to 1948—
Thiourea. Circular MF. 2/54.
This Circular, issued on the 25th January, 1954, drew the attention of Local
Authorities to the possible use by certain orange growers of thiourea, and of fungi'
cides containing thiourea as a rot and mould suppressant. The thiourea can penetrate
the skins of citrus fruits and find its way into the juice. As it has been shown that
this chemical is lethal to some animals in very low concentrations, its use is
accordingly open to strong objections on grounds of toxicity.
The Minister is advised, moreover, that thiourea falls within the definition of
" Preservative " contained in the Preservatives in Food Regulations, and that the
sale of any article of food containing thiourea would be a contravention of these
Regulations, since no provision exists therein permitting its addition to food.
2. Cream Soup. Circular MF. 3/54.
The Ministry of Food in a circular issued on 8th February, 1954, amended the
Code of Practice for canned soup as respects the fat content of products known as
" cream soups ". This was due to the fact that butter for manufacturing purposes
had become more freely available, and it has therefore been agreed that the product
described as cream soup shall contain not less than 2½% by weight of butter fat,
with certain exceptions where the total fat content is not less than 3% or 3½%
respectively.
The food prepared, manufactured, stored and sold in the borough continues
to be inspected and complaints received by the Department included the following :—
Mince Pie containing a Nail.
Cigarette-end in Loaf of Bread.
Maggot in Cereal.
Rodent Droppings in Loaf of Bread.
Apple Turnover affected with mould.
Dirty Bottles of Milk.
Canned Soup containing excessive amount of tin.
Piece of String in Cheese Roll.
Nail in Loaf of Bread.
Metal Caps in Bottle of T.T. milk.
Packet of Oats containing Maggot.
Cockroach in Jar of Extract of Malt.
Nail in Cake.
Black-currant Pie affected with mould.
In the majority of cases the evidence was not sufficient to justify statutory action
being taken.
As a result of the conditions found at a cafe in the borough the owners and
occupiers were prosecuted. Although these conditions had continued for some time