View report page

23
The total quantity of pears received and inspected was
227 trucks containing approximately 1,248 tons. Samples
were taken from 31 trucks, representing 305 tons. Ninety-two
written undertakings were received from the owners giving
guarantees that the pears would be treated under the supervision
of other local authorities, and each of these districts was
notified. The quantity found unfit and destroyed in the
Council's Depot was 4 trucks representing 22 tons.
WHALEMEAT
The Food and Drugs (Whalemeat) Regulations, 1949 came
into operation in March, and prohibit the importation of
whalemeat and whalemeat products for human consumption
unless accompanied by a veterinary certificate.
These Regulations also include provision for securing whalemeat
against contamination in shops and stalls, and during
transport or handling in wholesale markets, cold stores, etc.
This matter has received the most careful attention of the
Food Inspectors, and during the year, a consignment consisting
of 3,200 cases of whalemeat (canned steak), from New
Zealand, was detained for full examination. A preliminary
inspection showed that 36 per cent. was unfit for human
consumption, and this was accordingly destroyed.
MINERAL OILS
The Mineral Oil in Food Order, 1949, which came into
operation in April, prohibits the use of mineral oil in the preparation
of any article intended for human consumption, or the
sale for human consumption of any article of food containing
mineral oil. There is an exemption where the oil content in
food does not exceed 0.2 per cent. by weight of the article and
its presence is due to its use as a lubricant or greasing agent on a
surface with which the article of food necessarily comes into
contact during preparation.
Investigations have revealed no infringements of these
regulations.
FRENCH SWEETS
A consignment of about 10 tons of French sweets, which had
been imported on licence by the Ministry of Food, was found
to be dangerously contaminated by copper. Whilst the sweets
themselves were quite wholesome they were wrapped in
attractively coloured wrappers with gilt printing and it was
found that on taking off the wrapper, this gilt easily rubbed
off on the fingers and contaminated the sweets. This matter
was reported to the Ministry of Food, and as a result it was
decided that these licences would not in future be issued.