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Food
Analysis of Food and Drugs Samples. For the first quarter of the year
reports on the analysis of food and drugs samples were submitted by Mr. W.B.
Chapman in respect of the Boroughs of Bethnal Green and Poplar, and by Mr.
D.F.H. Button for the Borough of Stepney. Thereafter, the Public Analyst
appointed for the Borough of Tower Hamlets was Mr. W.B. Chapman who submitted
reports for the period April to December.
During the year 823 samples of food and drugs were submitted for analysis,
81 being purchased formally, 730 informally, and 12 were private samples.
Irregular samples ascertained numbered 153.
Action taken with respect to the irregular samples was as follows:
Legal proceedings were instituted with regard to 17 samples; namely, the
sale of bread and margarine as bread and butter (13 summonses), cake contaminated
with mould growth, lemonade contaminated with paraffin oil, minced meat
containing sulphur dioxide preservative and sausages contaminated with mould
and yeast. Fines imposed and costs awarded amounted to £114 and £71 respectively.
Warnings were given regarding the sale of bread contaminated with oil
and cake contaminated with mould growth.
Matters taken up with manufacturers or importers included sausages containing
undeclared preservatives, angelica and hops containing excessive copper,
bread containing particles of carbon, etc., meat products containing less than
the standard quantity of meat, prunes containing prohibited sorbic acid
preservative, skimmed milk and cocoa butter substitutes used in the manufacture
of milk chocolate products, corned beef unfit for human consumption,crab meat,
ham and tongue contaminated by metallic compounds, currants contaminated with
mould growth, cream soda and lemonade containing minute quantities of petrol,
fullcream milk powders deficient in fat,glycerin deficient in glycerin content,
ground nutmeg deficient in volatile oil, ice lolly containing calcium, nonalcoholic
ginger containing an excessive amount of benzoic acid and synthetic
colouring on shells of pecan nuts.
The absence, inadequacy or improper declaration of ingredients on labels
were ascertained in 56 samples and were the subject of correspondence with
manufacturers or importers.
Unsatisfactory foodstuffs detained under the Imported Food Regulations
included tea dust containing excessive sand and silicaceous matter.
Foods condemned as being unfit for human consumption included lemon juice
decomposed due to the presence of yeast, oranges damaged by contact with
sulphuric acid and pork luncheon meat discoloured by iron and tin compounds.
A summary of the samples analysed and included in quarterly reports submitted
by the Public Analysts in compliance with Section 99 of the Food and
Drugs Act 1955 will be found on page 102.
49.