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110
asked whether the facts as reported in the Press with regard to the seizure of
unsound tinned food returned from South Africa were correct, and what steps
would be taken to prevent a recurrence.
1 he question was answered in the affirmative by the responsible Minister,
who added that: "Where possible, steps have been taken to obtain such
"action as local authorities have been able to take to deal with the matter.
"Moreover, inquiries are being made regarding other foodstuffs returned
"from South Africa. Further legislation, however, of the kind contemplated
"by the Public Health (Regulations as to Food) Bill, now before Parliament,*
"is necessary to guard effectively against the introduction of consignments
"of unsound food."
In view of the statement that the goods were sold by the Military
Authorities, the Sanitary Committee addressed a communication to the Army
Council, asking for information as to whether any survey had been made
before sale to ensure that none but wholesome tins should be disposed of;
and what other steps had been taken, or are being taken, to protect the public
health by preventing the importation of unsound food.
Dr. Charles Porter, Medical Officer of Health for Johannesburg, South
Africa, in his Report for the year ending the 30th June, 1906, also refers to
the sale of unsound tinned food by the Army Authorities. In some notes
on canned foods Dr. Porter states :—
"Enormous quantities of Army canned food remained over at the
"close of the war in June, 1902, and an immense amount is imported
"from England, America and Germany. Much of the Army surplus
"was sold cheap by auction, apparently without guarantee as to quality,
"and fell into the hands of persons who disposed of it at a low price to
"coloured people. ... A vast quantity of tinned fish, meat, and
"meat extract, and a lesser amount of vegetables and fruits, have since
" been condemned."
Two other parcels of returned tinned foods were subsequently dealt with
last year.
In one case, 4,512 tins of Christmas puddings, which were part of a parcel
of 100 cases each containing 48 tins, were the subject of enquiry. Of these,
94 cases were found to be sound, the remainder having been condemned and
destroyed as unfit for food by the Port Sanitary Authority.
In another instance a case of tinned soup was implicated. The owner
stated it was a sample returned from South Africa "to see what he could do
"with them, and that if they were satisfactory there were several hundred
"cases to come over."
* This Bill was not proceeded with in 1906, but was re.introduced in February of this year.