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A consignment of Turkish dried apricots found to contain an excess of sulphur dioxide
preservative was re-exported. In the case of a consignment of Iranian dried apricots, whilst this
complied in respect of preservative cpntent, the apricots were found to be generally dirty and
the consignment was re-exported. A similar consignment, samples of which were found to contain
marginally excess amounts of sulphur dioxide preservative, was released with the proviso that the
apricots be used for catering or manufacturing purposes and not sold for direct consumption by
retail .
Two consignments of groundnuts in shell were rejected because of excess aflatoxin and both
were re-exported.
When consignments which fail to comply with United Kingdom standards are re-exported, the
appropriate authorities of the countries to which they are sent are informed.
Mention has been made in previous Annual Reports of the risk of contamination of foodstuffs
in transit by chemicals stowed in the same ship. A consignment of 5,200 cartons of sultanas was
contaminated by powdered sodium sil ico fluoride, a toxic substance, contained in bagswhichhad
split whilst being landed, the powder falling on the carton of sultanas stowed immediately
below. The cartons of sultanas were vacuum cleaned and the dock workers were advised to wear
protective masks and gloves whilst discharging them. The consignment was examined and samples
taken, which were found to be free from excess fluoride contamination and the consignment was
released, except for a small number of cartons which had been holed or had open flaps, which
were destroyed.
It has been suggested that, in a forthcoming review of the Public Health Ships' Regulations,
the question of proper separation of food-stuffs from potentially contaminating consignments
should be considered.
Samples of Italian canned sliced beef in jellified Consomme were found to have total meat
contents of 72% and 73% instead of the 80% required by the Canned Meat Product Regulations, 1967.
The manufacturers stated that because of the process of slicing the space available in the can
is less than with a minced or solid pack, and, after cooking most of the fat is skimmed off. For
these reasons it was difficult, if not impossible, to achieve an 80% meat content. The matter
was brought to the attention of the Food Standards Division of the Ministry of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Food as it appeared to disclose a discrepancy in the Regulations when compared
with meat in gravy with a required meat content of 75%, or sliced meat in gravy, with a required
content of 60% meat. The Ministry replied that the difficulty experienced by the manufacturer of
this particular product was recognised by the Food Standards Committee with regard to canned
meat products in general. "Any standard must be arbitrary in the sense that there will be
little difference between a product just above the standard and one just below it, but, provided
that the standards are fixed reasonably, the adjustments the trade will have to make need not be
onerous". Subsequently it was learned that the manufacturers are now conforming to the
requirements of the Regulations.
A sample of blackcurrant flakes was found to contain 4.5 parts per million of lead. The
Lead in Food Regulations require foods other than those specified in the Regulations to contain
not more than 2 parts per million of lead. The importer stated that the flakes were to be
reconstituted with water and used in a blackcurrant and apple filling for blackcurrant and apple
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