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117
Preserved Fruits.—43 samples of tinned, dried, and crystallised fruits
were purchased during the year. Four samples of tinned fruits proved to
contain either tin or iron. In each case the existing stocks of the purveyors
were overhauled and a number of tins voluntarily surrendered for destruction.
The vendors were warned against a repetition of the offence.
Condiments and Spices.—25 samples of various condiments and spices
were taken during the course of the year. One sample of ground cloves
contained a large proportion of cinnamon. On taking the matter up
with the purveyors it was found that a fresh consignment of ground
cloves had been placed in a receptacle that had previously been used for
the storage of cinnamon and had not been properly cleansed.
Fish Products.—During the year informal samples of tinned smoked
salmon were purchased by the Council's Inspectors which, on analysis
were found to contain hydroxybenzoic acid, a preservative the use of
which is prohibited by the Public Health (Preservatives &c. in Food)
Regulations.
On the vendors being informed of the fact, they voluntarily surrendered
the whole of their stocks for destruction. It appeared that the consignments
were imported from a foreign country where the presence of
hydroxybenzoic acid as a preservative in foods is permitted. The
vendors were warned against a repetition of the offence.
One sample of spiced anchovies packed in glass jars was found to be
decomposed. The remaining stocks of the same consignment were
voluntarily surrendered and destroyed. The vendors were warned against
a repetition of the offence.
Observations by the Public Analysts.
During the year under review several authorities, including the City
of Westminster, attempted to restrict the growing practice of selling
confectionery containing pastes made with fats other than milk fat as
"Cream Pastries The generic term "cream" is now applied to such
a variety of articles not necessarily foodstuffs that some clear restrictive
definition seems called for when used as a food designation.
Several samples of tinned fish were examined during the last quarter
of the year following information from the Port of London Authority that
consignments of tinned smoked salmon had been found to contain salicylic
acid. Some were found to contain this preservative, or possibly its isomer,
parahydroxybenzoic acid, in quantities up to 800 parts per million.
(9069) i