[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Haringey] page 40

Haringey 1969

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Haringey]

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Table: Details of Unsatisfactory Samples

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Details of Unsatisfactory Samples

Sample	Irregularity	Comments and Action taken
Butterfat	Samples of butterfat taken from two food factories showed abnormally low Reichert, Polenske and Kirschner values	Investigations are still proceeding, but preliminary conclusions suggest that when stored under warm conditions butterfat can separate into high and low melting point fractions, and these fractions may have different Reichert values.
Chocolate Vermicelli	Routine examination of a sample of chocolate vermicelli showed the presence of a live lavae of a bread beetle (Stegobium Paniceum).	The retail shop was inspected and was found to be satisfactory. Further samples were taken and found to be satisfactory. No further action taken.
Colouring Matter	(a) Blue VRS found in a packet of lime jelly	Blue VRS colouring matter prohibited in this country since 1967. Alleged to be old stock. Further samples to be taken for examination.
	(b) 'Bismarck Brown Substitute used for colouring the casings of slicing sausages, found to contain Blue VRS.	The carton of colour was withdrawn from use.
	(c) A sample of Conovid was found to contain Ponceau SX, a non-permitted food colouring matter.	No regulations control the addition of colouring matter to drugs, but it is considered that drugs for internal administration should not contain colouring matter prohibited in food. A further sample showed that the manufacturer was now using permitted colouring. The previous sample was thought to be old stock.
Drugs	(a) Four samples of soluble aspirin tablets were found to contain excessive salicylic acid	Withdrawn from sale. Soluble aspirin tablets are particularly liable to decompose to form the more toxic salicylic acid.
	(b) Two samples of A.P.C. tablets were found to contain excessive amount of free salicylic acid	Withdrawn from sale. The use of these analgesics has been discouraged because of the possibility of toxic effect from phenacetin, therefore stocks are likely to be old and liable to decomposition caused by overlong storage.
Flour	A sample of flour was found to contain 470mg. chalk per 100gm. of flour	Difficulty is experienced in maintaining an even distribution of added chalk to flour as required by the Bread and Flour regulations under which the legal maximum is 390mg. chalk to 100gm. flour.
Milk	(a) Samples of pasteurised milk were taken from a school which had complained that the milk rapidly went sour. All samples failed the methylene blue test and the phosphaste test.	Investigations at the dairy showed that the pasteurisation plant was not functioning properly. A warning letter was sent to the company and defects have now been remedied.
Palm Oil	(a) A sample to palm oil was found to contain 24 parts per million lead.	The Lead in Food Regulations limit the amount of lead in edible oils and fats to 0.5 parts per million of lead. The oil contained a number of flakes of paint. Another sample was taken which also contained excessive lead. The stock was seized and destroyed.