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make amends—and the Department then possibly hears nothing of it—many of the complaints
reach this Department with the complainant aggrieved by the indifference or belligerence of the
vendor. Some of these complaints were in fact of little consequence, and could have been settled
at source by the exercise of a little tact and courtesy—possibly on both sides.
During the year some 307 complaints were received alleging foodstuffs purchased were not in all
respects fit, or that food served gave dissatisfaction.
Food Sampling and Analysis
During the year a total of 1,476 samples of foodstuffs were submitted to the City Council's
Public Analysts for chemical analyses. Of this number, adverse reports were received in respect of
172 samples and where necessary appropriate action was taken.
Samples submitted to the Analysts for the most part consist of items purchased by Public Health
Inspectors, in their capacity as 'Sampling Officers', as a control measure to check that articles of
food or drink offered for sale to the general public comply with the many Orders and Regulations
governing these products. This aims to ensure, inter alia, that no deleterious substance, such as
prohibited preservative or non-permitted colouring, has been added, and that the goods are
described in such a manner that the purchaser is not misled.
Specimens received from the general public on complaint also form part of the number of samples
submitted to the Public Analysts. In some of these cases it is only in this way that the reason for
deterioration or unfitness can be established. Furthermore, if formal action is eventually undertaken,
the presence of the Public Analyst may well be required in Court as an expert witness, or his
certificate used in evidence to support the Council's case.
Other samples submitted are from bulk consignments where the fitness may be in doubt. These
cases come to the notice of the Department through a distributor or wholesaler, or through requests
for voluntary surrender of a similar product being received from several sources. Sometimes the
goods form part of transactions involving large sums of money. Frequently it is only through the
professional knowledge of the Analyst that the fitness or otherwise can be judged. Prompt action
by this Department, with the advice of the Analyst, can avoid the distribution of a foodstuff which
does not in all respects meet the requirements of the Regulations, and the importer is thus enabled
to inform his supplier abroad of the circumstances so as to ensure that similar incidents do not recur.
The following notes on action taken in respect of some of the samples submitted to the Public
Analysts are given as points of interest—viz:—
A complaint was received regarding bitterness in a loaf purchased from a bakery. The loaf was
submitted to the Public Analyst who reported that it was apparent some mistake had been made in
the manufacture of the dough, as a large excess of sodium bicarbonate was present. It was
discovered that due to an inadvertence at the bakery too large a quantity of bicarbonate of soda was
used in the recipe for the bread. Although there was of course nothing harmful in this excess,
its inclusion indicated carelessness on the part of some member of the staff. The Company concerned
was requested to exercise every care in the future to ensure no recurrence.
Another loaf purchased from a bakery was found to contain 'foreign material' when cut into
slices. The complainant brought four of these slices to the Department and about ten pieces of
hard greyish material with the appearance of road grit were embedded in all the slices, and appeared
to have been baked in the loaf. An inspection was made of the bakery, including the flour store,
the dough moulding machine, and all apparatus and equipment with which the bread and dough
appeared to have come into contact, but no material similar to that found in the bread could be
discovered. The Public Analyst reported that in his opinion the foreign matter consisted of small
pieces of sand cement concrete, and legal proceedings taken against the bakers resulted in a fine of
fifteen pounds and five pounds costs.
Some cooking fat was thought by a complainant to contain a mouse tail but analysis showed
this object to consist of paper fibres. It had probably originated from the cardboard carton which
had held the packets of fat and the packers stated there had been other complaints of contamination
and damage to their packets of fat products. Investigation had shown that these had been caused
when opening the carton which, without damaging the actual wrapper of the fat, had permitted
entry of 'foreign matter' into the wrapper. The circumstances suggested that the damage had
occurred after the packages had left the Company's care, and was beyond their power to control.
Imported table water was noted by the purchaser to have a white residue down each of three
bottles obtained from an off-licence. Analysis revealed the residue to consist of total solids
derived from the water. Instructions on the bottle directed it should be kept on its side, pending use,
and owing to the fitting of the crown cork, the naturally carbonated water appeared to have leaked
from the bottles resulting in crystallisation of the solids. There was no fault with the water but the
matter was drawn to the attention of the importers in order that they could inform their suppliers,
who undoubtedly would wish to market their product in a more satisfactory manner.