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It will be seen that complaints relation to "foreign bodies" accounted for nearly one half of the
total complaints, a rather higher proportion than last year. The increase in the number of metal
objects found is probably due to the increasing mechanisation of the food industry. With the greater
use of machinery the possibility of the odd nut, bolt or screw coming adrift and being incorporated
in the foodstuff in the process of manufacture is greatly increased. A number of complaints concerning
particles of glass in bottles of milk distributed by two different companies were not satisfactorily
solved. Until a satisfactory mechanical or electronic means is devised for examining
filled bottles, this type of complaint is bound to occur from time to time. The carton is the obvious
solution so far as this type of complaint is concerned. It, however, has its own problems, particularly
that of the disposal of the empty carton when supplied to large consumers such as schools.
The increase in the number of cases of food affected with mould growth related mainly to sliced
and wrapped bread. The warm and humid summer months, together with the fact that there may be
times when the bread is wrapped before being completely cool, encourages the growth of mould. The
treatment the loaf often receives when taken into the home is not conducive to the inhibiting of
mould growth. An unventilated breadbin in which a wrapped loaf may be placed provides ideal conditions
for the growth of mould.
A can of South African pineapple pieces labelled "grapefruit segments" was found to contain a
pair of rubber gloves which may well have been inserted by a disgruntled worker.
In the following twenty-one cases the Public Analyst was asked to examine the foodstuff which
was the subject of complaint, in order to determine the nature of the foreign bodies or contaminating
matter.
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