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FOOB INSPECTION
Frequent requests are received in the department for the inspection of food at shops, etc.,
believed to be unfit or unsuitable for human consumption and where this is confirmed by a Public
Health Inspector the food is 'surrendered' for destruction. Approximately 42 tons of food have
been dealt with in this way during the year and a fair proportion of this would have arisen from
breakdowns in large refrigerated food cabinets. In no case has it been necessary to 'seize' food
under the provisions of the Food and Drugs Act 1955 for it to be dealt with by a Court.
There are no slaughterhouses or poultry processing premises situated in the Borough.
IMPORTED FOOD
An increase in the number of sealed containers forwarded to premises within this Borough in
accordance with the Imported Food Regulations 1968 has occurred during the year and similarly
the number of depots receiving such containers has increased. Two large warehouses continue to
receive the bulk of imports by this means. Where necessary, following examination of the containers,
samples are procured for examination by the Public Analyst and 53 samples were dealt
with in this way.
FOOD SAMPLING
The following table shows the number of samples of food taken under the Food and Drugs
Act 1955 and submitted to the Public Analyst for analysis, together with the number found
unsatisfactory.
No. of samples taken Unsatisfactory
743 33
Unsatisfactory labelling of food was the main reason for many of the unsatisfactory, none of
a serious nature. Excessive amounts of tin were found in a few imported canned fruit samples.
Unfortunately, there is no legal standard for tin content and the Public Analyst has to rely on a
food standard recommendation that the tin content in a sample should not exceed 250 parts per
million.
A deficiency in the meat content in some canned meat products was found. The attention of
producers was drawn to the deficiencies and follow-up samples gave satisfactory results.
A few samples reported as unsatisfactory were the result of retailers selling old stock and
shows the necessity for strict supervision of stock rotation.
FOOD COMPLAINTS
The following table shows the number of food complaints received by the Department and
also the number of special samples submitted to the Public Analyst following complaints.
133