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84
FOOD COMPLAINTS
Eighty-six complaints were received concerning the sale of
food which was alleged to contain extraneous matter, or to be in
a decomposed or mouldy condition.
All complaints of this nature are very fully investigated by
the Public Health Inspectors and detailed reports are submitted
to the Environmental Health Sub-Committee whose members give
careful consideration to each case in order to determine the
appropriate action which should be taken.
In order to present fair and accurate reports complainants are
closely questioned, it being found that they are sometimes genuinely
mistaken in their original statements. Shopkeepers and food
manufacturers are interviewed and their premises and stocks
inspected to ascertain the point at which the trouble may have
arisen. Specimens are submitted to the Public Analyst to
determine the nature of extraneous matter. Where necessary the
assistance of Inspectors is called upon in areas, outside that of the
London Borough of Bromley, where the food was prepared or
stored.

Not all of these complaints were justified, some articles being
kept overlong by the complainants, whilst there were other
instances where complaints regarding the smell, appearance or
taste of articles arose from the complainants being unfamiliar with
the natural condition of the foodstuffs in question. One complaint
concerned the alleged presence of an insect in tinned tomatoes;
investigation proved the insect had not been subjected to any form
of heat treatment and must therefore have gained access to the
tomatoes after the tin had been opened.
As shown in the above table the majority of complaints concerned
bread and flour confectionery. The articles found in loaves,