London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
City of London 1925
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London, City of ]
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52
APPLES AND THE USE OF INSECTICIDE—CONTAMINATION BY ARSENIC.
Some publicity was given in the Press during November to the fact that in certain districts
arsenic in appreciable amounts had been found on apples which had been imported
from the United States of America.
Enquiries were made in the City, especially at the riverside wharves, where large quantities
of apples from America are landed, and the only ones found bearing indications of what
appeared to be arsenical deposits were "Jonathans" from America, corresponding apples
to those with regard to which prosecutions had been instituted in another area.
Samples of these apples were submitted to the Public Analyst for examination, and he
reported that they contained 1/700 of a grain of arsenious oxide per pound. This quantity
was so small that I was not prepared to restrict the sale of the apples affected.
Observation has been maintained, but no further cause for suspicion has been found.
I am of opinion, however, that as arsenic is a foreign addition to apples, the fruit should
be exported entirely free from that poison. If the principle of disregard of small quantities
of poison is to be accepted, it is not difficult to appreciate the circumstance, that, if not
arsenic, some other poisonous substance, in small quantities, might be added to other foods
with the result that the aggregate consumed might be considerable.
The importers in this country should insist that the exporters take adequate precautions
to ensure that the fruit is despatched free from such contaminations.
MEAT INSPECTION.
The following tabulated report has been prepared by Mr. T. Dunlop Young, Veterinary
Surgeon. My observation on a few points of importance raised by the Report follow.
According to the Board of Trade Report the Imports of Fresh Meat and Bacon were as under:—
| Beef Cwts. | Mutton Cwts. | Pork Cwts. | Veal Cwts. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 94,611 | - | 129,657 | 1,490,394 |
| Uruguay | 994,335 | 118,520 | — | — |
| Argentine | 9,052,656 | 1,841,553 | 6,689 | — |
| Australia | 1,374,338 | 527,486 | — | — |
| New Zealand | 520,679 | 2,502,501 | — | — |
| Denmark | 30,680 | — | — | 3,738,834 |
| Netherlands | — | 120,137 | 819,843 | — |
| Canada | — | — | — | 1,266,861 |
| Irish Free State | — | — | 179,731 | 461,548 |
| China | — | — | 19,585 | — |
| Other Countries | 352,315 | 375,033 | 82,735 | 528,983 |
| Total 1925 | 12,419,614 | 5,485,230 | 1,238,240 | 7,486,620 |
| „ 1924 | 12,549,495 | 5,097,027 | 1,008,887 | 7,873,377 |
| Imports of Live Stock were:— | ||||
| Cattle No | Sheep No. | Pigs No. | ||
| United States | 1,634 | - | - | |
| Canada | 110,155 | - | - | |
| Irish Free State | 688,120 | 400,587 | 97.695 | |
| Other Countries | 235 | — | — | |
| 800,144 | 400,587 | 97,695 | ||
Beef.—Of the 620,980 tons of imported beef, fresh, chilled and frozen, 66 per cent. was
chilled and 33 per cent. frozen.
Argentina supplied 72 per cent., Australia 11 per cent., Uruguay 8 per cent., New Zealand
4 per cent. and other countries including U.S.A., Canada and Denmark supplied the
balance.
Mutton and Lamb.—New Zealand supplied 45 per cent., Argentina 33 per cent., Australia
9 per cent. The balance of 13% came from the Continent.
Pork.—Holland supplied 80 per cent., Irish Free State 17 per cent., U.S.A. supplied
57 per cent. frozen. Other countries, China and Argentina, the balance.