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57
iii. Other Foods
Other foods were sampled bacteriologically, generally in connection with a complaint or as part of a food
poisoning investigation.
The results of these samples were as follows:—
Product Result
Can of salmon at 37°C. for three to four days remained sterile.
Portion of cooked chicken no staphylococcus aureus isolated.
Complete meal (boiled bacon, no staphylococcus aureus isolated, no
carrots, dumplings and salmonella, no Clostridium welchii.
mashed potatoes)
Fresh cream bun staphylococcus aureus present in 1 gram.
Pork sausage meat no salmonella isolated.
Pork sausages no salmonella isolated.
Investigations were carried out to ascertain the origin of the contamination of the fresh cream bun and
representations were made to both manufacturer and retailer.
(b) Chemical
In order that an overall check can be kept on food sold within the Borough, food is purchased as the
housewife would buy it. These informal purchases, which numbered 738 in 1970, are submitted for analysis
by the Public Analyst. Products which receive adverse reports are then formally sampled under the
provisions of the Food and Drugs Act 1955. Formal samples totalled 15.
As in previous years, many adverse reports referred to labelling. This aspect must continue to be given
constant attention.
Details of the samples are given below: —
Informal purchases 738 Adverse 53
Formal samples 15 Adverse 1
Of the adverse reports, 29 related to labelling deficiencies, the others related to excess preservatives,
excess metals, excess water in milk, insufficient fat in cheese and excess water in butter. One product, in
particular, proved most interesting. It involved a ton of black-eye beans which were found to contain 300
parts per million of DDT. The entire consignment was voluntarily surrendered and the matter taken up with
the Department of Health and Social Security and the Cyprus High Commission.
As a check on residual insecticide levels, seven samples were taken during the year. These were a
pheasant, strawberries, cherries, Worcester apples, grapes, tangerines, and tomatoes. In all cases the levels
found were within the limit recognised as being safe.
UNFIT FOOD