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159
Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
The following resolutions passed by the Incorporated Society
of Medical Officers of Health on the subject of tinned and preserved
foods were laid before the Committee and considered:—
"That in the opinion of the Metropolitan Branch of the
Incorporated Society of Medical Officers of Health, it is necessary
in order to secure better protection for the public in
regard to tinned and preserved foods, that legislation should
be passed embodying the following important reforms:—
"(1.) That the name and address of the manufacturer
and the date of canning should be impressed on the
cans.
"(2.) It shall be unlawful to sell for any purpose canned
goods that are unfit for human consumption, and it
should be the duty of any person in possession of
unsound canned foods to notify and surrender same
to the local authority, who should destroy such
unsound food free of charge.
"(3.) 'A certain number of tins (say one per cent.) from
each consignment should be opened on importation
and the contents examined under the supervision or
instructions of the sanitary authority concerned prior
to such canned foods being placed on the market.
"(4.) Tins which are known in the trade as 'doubtfuls'
should be deemed to be unfit for human consumption.
"(5.) Food intended for canning should be inspected by
independent officials prior to being canned, and all
foods should be canned under strictly hygienic conditions.
"(6.) In the opinion of the Branch the use of preservatives
in canned food is unnecessary and should under
no circumstances be permitted,"
stating that such resolutions have been forwarded to the Local
Government Board, the Board of Agriculture, the London County
Council, and the City and Borough Councils, and expressing the
hope that the Council will support the Branch by making representations
to those bodies, with the view of obtaining the desired
reform.