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49
An uneaten portion of one of the sandwiches was submitted to the
Public Analyst who reported that the ham in the sandwich contained
30 parts per million of nickel. The manufacturers of the sandwiches, a
firm of considerable repute, conducted a very thorough investigation
into this complaint at their laboratories. They were unable to find
evidence of nickel in the meat, but did confirm the presence of a small
quantity, less than 0.2 parts per million, in the bread and butter. No
likely explanation could be made as to the cause of the contamination
of the ham.
The opinion was later expressed that the nickel may have been
derived from the pickling injection needle and would be localised, and
it was therefore unlikely that nickel would be found in other sandwiches
from the same delivery.
Some 1,000 ham sandwiches and 600 tongue sandwiches were served
on the day in question, and no other complaint was received.
(2) A small quantity of whisky remaining in a bottle was found to
contain pieces of wood, wool and cotton fibres. The complainant was
using the spirit for medicinal purposes; he noticed the "foreign matter"
after he had consumed some of the whisky, and felt nauseated. The
Public Analyst was unable to express an opinion as to how the extraneous
material came to be present. The bottlers were cautioned.
(3) Cold roast beef purchased from premises in Westminster was
found later the same day to contain maggots. The purchaser complained
to the Public Health Department and legal proceedings were taken
against the retailer who was fined £20 and 7 guineas costs in respect of
this offence. A further fine of £5 was imposed for failing to register
premises used for the cooking of meat.
(4) Foreign matter removed from a quantity of sugar was found on
analysis to be mouse faeces. On receipt of the complaint an inspection
was immediately made at the retail shop, where conditions were found
to be unsatisfactory. Mouse droppings were found in close proximity to
food. Legal proceedings were instituted against the Company responsible,
and a fine of £25, with 10 guineas costs, was imposed in respect of the
offence.
Food Hygiene (General) Regulations, 1960
These regulations amend and consolidate the regulations of 1955/1957
and became effective on the 1st October, 1960. From the 1st November,
1961, they will apply equally to food businesses carried on from homegoing
ships and moored vessels.
The principal changes include provisions relating to persons engaged
"in the handling of foodNow included are those persons who
undertake the cleaning of articles of equipment with which food comes
into contact, as well as those who actually handle the food.