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Surrender of Unsound Meat and Other Foods (excluding
meat at Slaughterhouse)
The following foodstuffs were condemned by the Public
Health Inspectors as being unfit for human consumption
and they were surrendered for destruction.
lbs
Meat and meat products 2918
Fish and fish products 315
Fruit and vegetables 7534
Groceries 489
11256
Foodstuffs not calculated by weight
assorted tins, packets, jars, bottles,
articles, casks and boxes.
37070
Chemical Analysis of Food & Drugs
Analytical work is carried out by the Greater London
Council's Scientific Branch, two of whose officers have
been appointed as this Council's Public Analyst and
Deputy Public Analyst respectively.
The laboratory is able to undertake other work apart from
food and drugs including water pollution, sewage
treatment, water from swimming pools, air pollution,
ventilation, noise, vibrations, fire precautions, petroleum,
fertilisers, feeding stuffs, radiochemistry, general
supplies and services.
During the year 800 samples, comprising 14 formal and
786 informal samples of food and drugs were taken in
accordance with the recommendations of the Department
of Health and Social Security.
Forty-four of the 800 samples were unsatisfactory and
some are worthy of particular mention.
(a) The jelly decoration on one of the items in a packet
of small iced cakes contained Blue VRS which is a
non-permitted food colour. This decoration was found
to have come from an initial experimental batch
which had been released as a result of an oversight.
A sample from a subsequent batch was found to be
satisfactory.
(b) Many claims are made for health foods which are
sufficiently vague as to be misleading. However,
where specific claims are made that food contains
vitamins or minerals the amounts must be as shown
on the label and stand up to a laboratory check. It
was found that a blackcurrant drink contained only
65 mg per fluid ounce of vitamin C whereas the
label claimed that it contained a minimum of 150 mg
per fluid ounce. The manufacturer undertook to amend
his claim accordingly.
(c) The label of a diabetic chocolate stated that it
contained 130 mg per ounce of calcium whereas on
examination it was found that only 80 mg per ounce
were present. In this case the manufacturers had
omitted to add an ingredient but promised to adopt
a stricter quality control in order to prevent a
recurrence.
Labelling of Foods
Those foods and drugs which are subjected to chemical
analysis are also examined to ensure that the labels
comply with the provisions of the Labelling of Foods
Order 1953 and allied legislation. During the year 107
instances of irregularities in labelling were found and the
attention of the manufacturers, importers or packers was
drawn to the infringements. Undertakings were accepted
that new labels would be printed.
Incorrect or inadequate description 28
No name and address 4
Incorrect or inadequate list of )
ingredients or no list of )
ingredients) 31
Misleading statements 10
Use of generic terms 24
Inadequate size of printing 1
Incorrect claim of mineral content 9
Food Complaints
178 complaints were received from members of the public
regarding articles of food all of which were thoroughly
investigated. The Public Analyst was asked for his
opinion on 24 of the items.
Complaints of particular interest included a piece of
wire in a can of rhubarb, a bolt in a tin of salmon,
a bullet in a can of tomatoes, a pork pie containing a
bolt and washer and a loaf with part of a slicing blade
embedded in it. Many complaints refer to foods containing
mould, often due to poor stock rotation and advice is
given in all cases.
Nine firms were prosecuted as a result of the investigation
of consumers' complaints and fines totalling £185
and costs of £54 were imposed.
Beer Glasses
Bacteriological examination was carried out with regard
to beer glass washing in a representative selection of
public houses. The tests were carried out by rinsing the
glasses in a Ringers Solution which is sterile. The
results varied from a plate count of 30,000 organisms per
ml to nil. Glass washing in public houses has been given
special attention and landlords, where necessary, have
been instructed in the best methods of washing and use
of sterilants. A further survey showed that this information
was being accepted and the results achieved were
more satisfactory.