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Statistics will be found on page 109).
FOOD AND DRUGS
Analysis of Food and Drugs Samples
During the year 961 samples of food and drugs were submitted for analysis by the Public
Analyst, 2 being purchased formally, 939 informally, and 20 were private samples. Irregular
samples ascertained numbered 82,
Action taken with respect to the irregular samples was as follows:-
Legal proceedings were instituted in respect of five samples, namely an almond cake which
contained a piece of jute string, grapenuts which were infested with biscuit beetle, a meat
pie embedded in which was a bacon beetle, a wrapped sliced white loaf containing a cigarette
end, and minced meat which contained added sulphur dioxide preservative. The total fines and
costs awarded amounted to £74 and £29.8. respectively.'
Matters taken up with manufacturers or importers included an almond cake which contained
jute string, bread containing a baked-in end of filter tipped cigarette, butter and raisin bran
contaminated with mould growth, canned braised kidneys containing sodium nitrite, canned
aubergines containing excess tinwith considerable discolouration, canned blackberries containing
dogwood berry, canned red plums containing added colouring matter, soft drink which contained
56 per cent rum, currants containing excess mineral hydrocarbons, kippers containing nitrite
and nitrate, lemon juice and minced meat containing added sulphur dioxide preservative,
pasteurised milk containing fragments of potato, sterilised milk containing two per cent added
water, amilk bottle which contained red coloured plaster of paris, apple turnover, dried fish,
bubble gum, coloured sweets, confectionery eggs and smokers' cough pastilles containing
prohibited colouring matter, pork sausage deficient in total meat content, soft drink containing
mould growth and a splinter of wood, and white bread containing wholemeal dough, grape-nuts,
meat pie and whole nutmeg infested with insects.
The absence, inadequacy or improper declaration of ingredients on labels were ascertained
in 44 samples and were the subject of correspondence with manufacturers or importers
A summary of the samples analysed and included in quarterly reports submitted by the Public
analyst in compliance with Section 99 of the Food andDrugs Act, 1955. will be found on page 110.
Bacteriological Examination of Foodstuffs
Samples submitted for bacteriological examination numbered 146 comprising:
19 Spray dried hen egg albumen. pasteurised (American) 1 Canned pork luncheon meat (Dutch)
4 Dried hen egg albumen crystals (Chinese) 1 Canned mussels (Dutch)
23 Egg noodles, pasta, macaroni (Italian)
1 Canned stringless green beans (Chinese)
1 Canned tomato Paste (Portuguese)
1 Corned beef
2 Canned corned beef (Argentine) 1 Canned pork
1 Canned corned beef (Paraguayan) 1 Prawns
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