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different varieties of food. Of these,130 samples were acquired
formally and 419 informally. A total of 20 samples
(3.6 per cent) were found to be adulterated. Details of the
unsatisfactory samples and the action taken are shown in
Table VI.
The greatest care is given to the selection and analyses
of food samples, each being selected with a definite
examination objective in mind. Whenever possible,generally
depending upon the suitability of an individual sample, a
check is made upon a variety of matters.
Particular attention has been paid to those foods for
which legal standards are fixed; foods containing fats and
oils were examined for the presence of mineral oil, and in
canned food,particularly old stock,calculations were made
of metallic absorbtion; special observations were kept for
foreign matter and insect infestation; prepacked foods were
checked against the statements of ingredients printed on the
labels; preservatives and colourings were also checked.
Constant vigilance has had the effect of reducing deliberate
adulteration, so common in the past, to a rare occurrence.
Nevertheless, the possibility of the addition of
foreign matter is not overlooked, and every effort is made
to ensure that food is of the nature,substance and quality
expected.
Among the samples submitted to the Public Analyst were
38 drugs, mainly proprietary articles used for medicinal purposes;
these were checked against the statements of ingredients
printed on the labels and the purity standards set out
in the British Pharmacopoeia.
Included in the specimens sent to the Public Health
Laboratory were 14 samples,consisting of 9 varieties of food,
specially examined in connection with complaints of illness0
In no cases were pathogenic organisms found.
47.