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generally not dangerous to health, but only unsightly, the practice at Smithfield
is to judge each quarter of beef on its appearance, i.e. to say, no hard and fast
rules are laid down (and this rule applies to the examination of all meat). If
only a few spots are present on the meat, these are trimmed off by the salesmen
or their men, and the quarter of beef is passed, but if in addition to fungi
there is anv slimy condition or decomposition, or if the moulds have penetrated
into parts that cannot be properly trimmed out, then such meat is considered
unfit for food and seized.
Meat Imported under Linley Process.
That meat can be brought long distances without fungi appearing on it has
been proved by consignments of chilled beef arriving from Australia during
the year. The meat was conveyed in chambers the atmosphere of which had
been sterilised by means of the "Linley Process." When the first consignment
arrived on the market I examined the meat carefully, and in view of the
opinions expressed in Dr. Buchanan's Report on the treatment of meat re
"Formalin," I consulted you as to the suitability of such meat for human
food. You instructed that a sample of the meat under consideration be sent to
Dr. Teed, who returned to you an analysis, of which the following is a
copy, viz.:—
Samples A and B.
"These two samples were analysed for formalin with the result—
"A= 1.2 parts of formalin per 100,000 parts of meat.
"B— 0.6 „ „ „ „ „
"A third sample taken from A and B was cooked and examined for
"formalin, but none could be detected. By formalin is meant 40 per cent.
"of Formaldehyde. The meat was delivered in one piece; a point steak
"was cut so as to include the discoloured portion. This may be called
"sample A. The remainder may be termed sample B."
The consignment and a subsequent one were sold and no complaints have
been heard as to their fitness for human food. I understand that the quantity
of formalin used is gradually being reduced, until only the smallest quantity
necessary to secure complete sterilisation is finally adopted.
Australian Mutton.
I he quality of some of the Australian mutton deposited on the markets
and in the Cold Stores during the year has engaged our attention. Some of
these carcases were very small and of very poor quality, and when thawed
out presented a most unmarketable appearance, while some of them, on
section of the musculature, showed a condition indicative of an unhealthy
state of the animals prior to slaughter.