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pies, so that the lead content of the finished product would be less than the required minimum.
The consignment was, therefore, released for this purpose. The Lead in Food Regulations allow
dried vegetables to have a maximum of 5 parts per million of lead, and the attention of the
Ministry of Agriculture was drawn to the inconsistency in respect of the lower permitted standard
for dried fruit. The Ministry stated that the matter would be borne in mind for the next review
of the Regulations.
Meat and meat products have generally been found to comply with the requirements of the
Imported Food Regulations as regards the attachment of official Certificates to the packages,
but where there has been failure in this respect appropriate action has been taken.
Samples of imported dried and liquid egg, and frozen prawns and shrimps, periodically
submitted for bacteriological examination during the year, were all found to be satisfactory.
Liquid Egg Pasteurisation
There are two plants in the borough where liquid egg is pasteurised. Neither worked to
capacity during the year, owing to a shortage of eggs, and the smaller firm was compelled to
cease pasteurising, sometimes for a week at a time.'
The satisfactory standard of hygiene of former years was maintained.
17 samples of egg taken proved satisfactory when subjected to the alpha-amylase test.
Milk Supply-Samples
8 samples submitted to bacteriological examination were satisfactory. 16 samples submitted
tochemical analysis (including 7 samples taken from hospitals, schools and day nurseries in the
borough) were satisfactory. The average fat and sol ids-not-fat content of the ordinary milk
samples analysed was 3.9% and 8.6% respectively, and of the superfatted variety 4.7% and 8.8%.
No samples were taken for the purpose of examination for the presence of brucella abortus.
Unsound Food
The following quantities of unsound foodstuffs were disposed of under the Public Health
(Imported Food) Regulations and the Public Health Acts:
Wharves 67 tons
London Fruit Exchange and
Spitalfields Market 106 tons
Other Premises 167 tons
TOTAL 340 tons
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