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Detailed examination of this foreign material showed that it was
essentially due to the discolouration of the filling, and also of the crust.,
brought about by atmospheric dust, or dirt.
Lollipops
Atmospheric dust or dirt accounted for two sugar lollipops being
submitted for examination following a complaint that they were dirty.
In one of the lollipops the contamination was in the form of a
blackish spot whereas in the other it took the form of a faint blackish
line.
Sweets (Foam Tops 2, Liquorice Comfits 1)
Reference has already been made in previous reports to the Colouring
Matter in Food Regulations, 1957. These Regulations, which restrict
the colouring matters to be used in food stuffs to a short list, are now
in full operation. A colouring matter not permitted by the Regulations
known as Rhodamine B, was found to be present in two samples of
sweets described as Foam Tops, and one described as Liquorice Comfits.
These sweets had various colours and it was the pink sweets which
were found to contain Rhodamine B. The other coloured sweets were
found to contain permitted dyes.
It was ascertained that these sweets were manufactured before the
Regulations came into operation.
Grand Prix Salmon
An unopened can of salmon was submitted to us for examination
following a complaint that a similar can was alleged to have caused
sickness.
On opening the can a slight, but objectionable, odour of hydrogen
sulphide (usually referred to as rotten eggs) was detected. Such odours
are invariably produced as the result of bacterial decomposition but our
examination of the contents showed that any such bacterial action as
may have occurred had now ceased since the contents were bacteriologically
sterile.
Chemical examination showed that the oily constituent of the
salmon had developed a slight incipient rancidity. As the result of our
examination we formed the opinion that the salmon was now out of
condition and may well have caused sickness to a person with a sensitive
palate.
Bread
This sample consisted of a slice of bread together with several
smaller pieces of bread which were spread with fat; some of the pieces
also having a spreading' of shredded meat. This sample was alleged to
contain foreign matter in the form of an insect. Examination of the
sample showed the presence of insect fragments embedded not only in
the whole slice but in two of the pieces. The fragments found consisted
of parts of the thoracic segments and the legs. The other parts of the
insect were missing. The fragments were, however, sufficient to dentify
the insect as being a flour beetle.