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In Westminster, a saving of the inspector's time is made possible by the introduction of a form
of request for removal. On this the trader enters beforehand all relevant particulars relating to the
article of food concerned and, because of the large quantity which is sometimes involved, a clause
safeguarding the Council against any subsequent liability is incorporated.
Food condemned or voluntarily surrendered is taken to the Council's Central Depot at Gatliff
Road and removed by barge for disposal by controlled tipping at Pitsea.
During the year some 183 (285) tons of unsold or unsaleable foodstuffs were voluntarily surrendered
for disposal.
Additives and Contaminants in Food
Large scale food processing, with preservation as its prime purpose, has brought about considerable
increases in the use of chemical additives with the consequent need of deciding what limits are
acceptable before rendering the food unfit.
Before any Regulations are issued the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food have a Committee,
known as the Food Additives and Contaminants Committee, to advise them and since 1950 some
30 reports have been submitted.
In consequence Regulations are now in force controlling antioxidants, arsenic, artificial sweeteners,
colouring matter, emulsifiers, stabilisers, fluorine, lead, meat treatment, mineral hydrocarbons,
preservatives and solvents. These Regulations almost without exception empower the Public
Health Inspector to deal with any food found on analysis to contain a non-permitted additive as
unfit food under Section 9 of the Food and Drugs Act, 1955.
In practice there is very little trouble with home produced foods as most manufacturers in this
country now employ a chemist who, being aware of statutory requirements, undertakes tests to
ensure that the suppliers of the raw materials maintain a specified standard of quality and that plant
and process in the factory produce a standardised product showing the minimum variation from
one batch to the next. In the case of imported foods however, overseas manufacturers are not
always made aware of the standards applicable and as certain additives permitted abroad as
colouring, preservatives, raising and similar agents are different from those allowed in this country
contraventions sometimes occur. An importer is required to take reasonable steps to check that the
produce he imports complies with the Act. Some are aware of their responsibility but others fail to
take the necessary positive action to ensure that the regulations are complied with.
Pesticides and other toxic chemicals
The Council has continued to participate in the scheme for systematic enquiry through the medium
of selective food sampling into the extent of contamination of foodstuffs by toxic chemicals and
particularly organochlorine pesticide residues.
The original exercise commenced in 1966 was completed during the year and sampling was
discontinued pending a study of the accumulated data.
During the year, twelve samples were obtained and submitted for examination. The results are
shewn in Table 28, page 91.
Imported Food Regulations 1968
These Regulations came into force on 1st August 1968 and contain measures for the protection
of public health in relation to imported food. They replace the Regulations of 1937 and 1948.
It is an offence to import food intended for human consumption which is unfit. Enforcement of
of the Regulations is by the port health authority through an 'authorised officer' (i.e. public health
inspector) at the port of entry or, in certain circumstances, by an inland local authority (such as
Westminster) in cases where examination has been deferred until the food reaches the place of
destination of which prior notice will have been given.
If an authorised officer finds on examination any food which contravenes the Regulations he may
by notice in writing to the persons concerned prohibit its removal from the place of examination
until the food has been dealt with by a Justice of the Peace. The Regulations make provision for
the submission of samples to the Public Analyst for analysis.
With certain exceptions, the importation of meat products cannot be undertaken without an
official certificate from the country of origin. This is recognised by the Ministry of Agriculture,