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(vi) Food and Drugs Act 1955
(a) FOOD AND DRUGS AUTHORITY
The Council are a Food and Drugs Authority as defined by
Section 85 of the Food and Drugs Act 1955, and are responsible
for the enforcement of the provisions of the Act relating to
sampling of foods and drugs, and the Public Health Inspectors
are accordingly " Authorised Officers " under the Act.
(b) PUBLIC ANALYST
It is the duty of every Food and Drugs Authority to appoint a
Public Analyst; the Analysts appointed by this Council in accordance
with the Act are:—
Dr. J. H. Hamence, F.R.I.C. and Mr. P. S. Hall, A.R.I.C.,
both of 20, Eastcheap, E.C.3.
The Analysts have been most helpful in advising on the types
and quantities of samples taken and any complicated points
relating to samples.
(c) SAMPLES SUBMITTED FOR ANALYSIS
During the year 272 samples were taken, comprising 27
Formal and 245 Informal samples. Table 13 which follows gives
an indication of the variety of foods sampled.
Of the 272 samples submitted for analysis, 25 were found to
be not genuine. Observations and comments on these unsatisfactory
samples are as follows:—
Apples (1 unsatisfactory sample)
This sample of apples were wrapped in a dark blue paper
and were submitted to the Analyst as the result of a complaint
that they smelt of paraffin and had probably been contaminated.
The Analyst reported that although the apples themselves
had a slight paraffin smell they were free from any objectionable
taste.
As it appeared that the paraffin taint on the wrappers
might have been introduced as the result of spraying with an
insecticide dissolved in paraffin, the wrappers were examined
for the presence of insecticide or fungicide but with negative
results.
The retailer was advised to remove the wrappings and
thoroughly wash the apples before sale.
This matter was also taken up with the Superintendent ot
the Wholesale Market where the apples were sold.
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