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Other individual cases of salmonella infection and suspected food poisoning which came to the
attention of this department during the year were all investigated but no positive association with the
consumption of a particular food could be established at the time of investigation.
Abrus Seeds
Following the nationwide publicity given in the Press and other media after the disclosure by Bristol
Health Department of the potential danger associated with a certain type of seed used in the making of
necklaces, rosaries, curios etc., likely sources where these might be on sale in Westminster were immediately
visited. None was found. The general public having been made aware of the matter brought suspected
articles to the City Hall or took them to their local Police Station and these were later delivered to the
Health Department for identification.
The seeds are known by several names, e.g. jumble beads, love beans and are from the woody, climbing
plant known as Abrus Precatorius which is widespread in the tropics. The seed itself is hard with a smooth
glossy surface and of a bright scarlet colour with a black patch at the end which joins the stalk.
The danger associated with the seed is that it contains a poisonous substance known as Abrin. If the
seed is swallowed whole no harm is likely to result because the skin or outer covering is so hard that toxin
would not be freed. Even if well chewed it has been suggested that three whole seeds would be required to
produce a lethal dose. It is, however, highly toxic when absorbed through a wound, the minutest quantity
being sufficient to produce fatal results.
Enquiries disclosed that the last fatal case in this country from this form of poisoning occurred some
two hundred years ago; the seeds have been known in the United Kingdom since the 1500's.
A total of 52 articles were received in the Health Department of which 23 were identified as containing
the Abrus seed. These latter articles were destroyed and those not containing the seed returned to the
owner, where requested.
The Health Department is indebted to Dr. R.M. Polehill of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew for the
considerable assistance and valuable information he gave the public health inspectors of the Food Control
section during their investigation.
Unsound and Unsaleable Food — Examination and Disposal
Under Section 72 (1) of the Public Health Act 1936 a local authority may undertake the removal of
trade refuse from premises within their district and having so undertaken shall, at the request of the
occupier, remove such trade refuse. Westminster has entered into such an undertaking.
Schedule II Part II (7) of the Local Government Act 1963, stated that any person who has in his
possession or under his control any article of food which is unsound, unwholesome or unfit for human
consumption, may, by notice to the local authority, specifying and identifying the article, request its
removal as if it were trade refuse.
During the year some 202 tons of unsaleable foodstuffs were voluntarily surrendered for disposal. This
figure includes four large consignments — 12¼ tons of grapes, 7¼ tons of melons, 22% tons and 23½ tons
of pears all of which had been rendered unmarketable.
Four hundred and ninety seven requests were received in the department during the year for inspections
to be made of out-of-condition foods.
The Liquid Egg (Pasteurisation) Regulations, 1973
There are no egg pasteurisation plants in Westminster, and any liquid egg used at premises in the City
would be subject to supervision by the local authority at the source of manufacture or examined on
importation.