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108
FOOD COMPLAINTS
On 93 occasions complaints were made alleging foodstuffs to
be unsound or to contain foreign matter. These complaints were
all very fully investigated by the Public Health Inspectors and,
where necessary, were reported to the appropriate Committee to
determine whether legal procedings should be taken.
These investigations require very careful enquiries to present
a fair and accurate report particularly as 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.

Foreign bodies found in bread and flour confectionery consisted
of pieces of string, small pieces of wire and metal, a cigarette
end, a piece of wood, bird and mouse droppings. The presence
of mould was mainly found in sliced loaves.
Complaints regarding milk and milk bottles were largely concerned
with stained bottles and the presence of broken glass and
insect larvae.
Broken glass and insects were found in jam and tinned fruit.
Some complaints were unjustified, the complainants being doubtful
of the taste, smell or appearance of foodstuffs which were found
to be normal and wholesome.