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117
FOOD COMPLAINTS
Complaints regarding the sale of foodstuffs, alleged to be
unsound or to contain extraneous matter, were made on 97 occasions.
These complaints were all very fully investigated by the
Public Health Inspectors and, except for a few found to be
unjustified, were individually reported to the Environmental Health
Sub-Committee for the determination of appropriate action.
The investigation of these complaints involves very careful
enquiries in order to present a fair and accurate report particularly
in view of the fact that the findings may lead to prosecution of
the vendor or manufacturer. Specimens of extraneous matter are
submitted to the Public Analyst to determine their nature and
substance, and shopkeepers and food manufacturers are interviewed
and their stocks and premises inspected to discover, if possible,
the point of origin.
Where the articles complained of have been manufactured
outside the London Borough of Bromley the co-operation and
assistance of the Public Health Inspectors acting in the area concerned
is called upon.

The most frequent cause of complaint concerned bread and
flour confectionery. Extraneous matter found consisted of grease
from machinery, small pieces of metal, metal screws, a piece of
string, pieces of hessian and glass, and portions of bakehouse char.
Mould was mainly found in sliced loaves.
Complaints concerning milk and milk bottles were largely in
respect pf the internal staining of bottles from various causes and
with the presence of foreign bodies such as glass and insect larvae.
From the point of view of the store owner "self service" may
have much to commend it. However, the practice deprives shop
assistants of full control over stock rotation and the order in which
perishable goods are sold. It has resulted in an increase in the