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Tea
The examination and sampling of tea, taken over from H.M. Customs & Excise
in 1959 continued throughout the year.
There is a very large tea packing factory and bonded warehouse in the Borough,
to which, by arrangement with the Commissioners of Customs & Excise, quantities
of tea are delivered direct from the docks. The initial point of inspection in this country
is therefore at the bonded warehouse. This places on the Council the responsibility
of inspecting this tea to ensure that it is fit for human consumption, in accordance
with the provisions of the Food & Drugs Act, 1955, and the Public Health (Imported
Food) Regulations, 1937.
During 1962, 633 samples representative of all consignments received at the warehouse
were taken by the District Public Health Inspector. This entailed three to four
visits a week to the warehouse for routine testing for unfitness or adulteration with
foreign matter. Experience has now shown that teas originating from certain countries
are more likely to be contaminated than others and therefore greater attention is
given to these.
Of the 633 samples taken during the year, 42 were found to be of doubtful quality
after initial tests were carried out and were referred for further examination to the
Public Analyst. He reported that 25 samples were from consignments of tea considered
to be unfit for human consumption mainly because of the presence of excess quantities
of metallic dust.
Some consignments of tea certified as unfit are re-exported under guarantee,
usually to Holland, for industrial purposes. The Medical Officers of Health for the
Port of London and the Port of Rotterdam are notified to enable them to check this
procedure.
In other cases such tea is blended with larger quantities of other good tea on the
advice of the analyst, and samples of the resultant product have proved to be satisfactory.
Other Food Samples
Seventeen other food samples were submitted for laboratory examination following
complaints, and all but three proved to be satisfactory. These included: Smoked Cod
(2); Canned Fish; Vegetable Salad; Salad Cream; Cooked Potatoes; Fruit Pudding;
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