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99
In addition to the above, large quantities of unsound fruit and
vegetables are removed as refuse from Covent Garden market by the
Council. Special carts are provided in the market, so that dealers may
throw into them "waste fruit. "
Among the articles seized was a tin of tomatoes, taken from a consignment
sent to a retailer in the City. Their appearance attracted the
attention of the Food Inspector, who examined the contents of one tin,
and finding the fluid in which the tomatoes were peculiar looking he
submitted the sample by my instructions to one of the public analysts,
who reported the presence of tin in soluble form to the amount of 2
grains of metal to the pound. The amount present in the whole sample
was 5 grains of metal, equivalent to 8 grains of tin chloride. As the
consignment had been sent from a wholesale grocer in the Borough of
Islington, I communicated with the Medical Officer of Health of that
borough, with the result that the remainder of the consignment was
taken back and the whole of this stock of tomatoes destroyed.
Complaints were received from persons who were ill after dining at
a certain restaurant. An examination of the copper saucepans in use
was made, and it was found that they required to be retinned, and some
tomato soup which was being cooked in one of them was analysed by
Mr. C. H. Cribb and found to contain metallic copper to the amount of
0227 grains per pint, equivalent to 0897 grains of copper sulphate.
The Chief Sanitary Inspector says: "Your Inspectors are fully alive
to the great importance of exercising the keenest vigilance over the
soundness of all foodstuffs exposed for sale and of materials used in the
preparation of food. During the past year there have been many
terrible instances of poisoning by unsound food, notably at Derby, &c.,
where in all several hundreds of persons suffered, and it is satisfactory
to note that no cases of food poisoning occurred in the City of Westminster.
In view of certain allegations anent oysters and shellfish
made during the past few months, your Sanitary Officers have thoroughly
inspected all premises within the district, the utensils used, &c., and in
every case have found that the greatest care is taken by the vendors of
these articles of food to secure cleanliness, &c.
" In two instances legal proceedings were taken.
" Against Mr. W. G. White, 10, James Street, Haymarket, in respect
of 201 tins of filleted herrings. From information which reached me,
Inspector McNair was instructed to examine the foodstuffs exposed for
sale at 10, James Street, and on a shelf at the back of the counter, and
among other articles of food, he found 201 tins of filleted herrings in a
putrid condition. They were taken to Great Marlborough Street Police
Court, and ordered by the magistrate to be destroyed. Your Committee
ordered proceedings to be taken. The case was heard before Mr. Kennedy
on December 4th, 1902, and a fine of £100 and 2s. costs was imposed.
h 2