View report page

Imported Food
The public health inspector dealing with inspection of imported foodstuffs at wharves in
the borough reports that a sample of Japanese chewing gum taken from a consignment at a wharf
was found to contravene the Colouring Matter in Food Regulations by containing a prohibited
colour. The local authority of the area to which the consignment had been transported were
advised and were able to detain the gum and recall any distributed stocks. Similar action was
taken in respect of a sample of Cyprus rosehip syrup containing the prohibited colour Rhodamine
B. The consignment was destroyed
From time to time foodstuffs on board ship become contaminated by spillage of chemicals,
fuel oils, etc. Although instances are infrequent, they point to the necessity for careful
loading and handling of consignments so that foodstuffs in transit are stored well away from
possible contaminants. Recent examples include tea on which zinc chloride powder had been
spilled and sugar and coffee contaminated by spillage of fuel oil.
Samples of salami sausage submitted for bacteriological examination showed plate counts
running into many millions of organisms per gram, though pathogens were absent. Enquiries
elicited that because of the process of manufacture, which includes fermentation, it is not
unusual for salami to have such high counts, but the manufacturer concerned was requested to
improve his process to reduce the bacterial count.
There have been a number of cases where foodstuffs have been incorrectly labelled, to
which the attention of manufacturers and importers has been drawn with subsequent amendment of
the labels.
Four samples of Portuguese tomato paste were found to have mould counts in excess of the
permitted limit (50%) and the consignment was refused entry into the United Kingdom.
In September, a random sample of imported egg noodles was taken by an inspector of the
Port Health Authority and submitted for bacteriological examination. The laboratory reported
the presence of an unidentified salmonella organism in the sample. The consignment had been
transferred to a warehouse in the borough for distribution, where it was detained pending
further investigation. Part of the consignment had already been distributed to grocery shops
in various parts of the country, and the health departments for these areas were alerted and
requested to arrange for the products to be withdrawn from sale pending further investigation
Twenty nine further samples were taken at the warehouse and it was found that three samples of
the variety which had been sampled by the Port Health Authority were positive to salmonella
typhimurium, and that two samples taken from other varieties were also positive, one to
salmonella braenderup and the other to salmonella meleagridis. All the affected egg noodles
not already sold were destroyed.
The Ministry of Health and the commercial attache of the exporting country's embassy were
advised of the position, and the manufacturers were asked to investigate. Representatives of
the latter attended a meeting held at the bacteriological laboratory to consider the matter.
11 was discovered that the manufacturers had used the services of a smaller firm to manufacture
the affected consignment owing to a rush of orders, and that the latter had been using
unpasteurised imported egg.
53