View report page

Canned Australian Barracouta Fish-
In August, samples of canned Australian Barracouta fish
were taken,for examination for metallic contamination, from
three lots' (approx, 7,000 cases) landed at two wharves in
the borough. These samples showed the presence of lead in
amounts varying from 4 to 10 parts per million and the three
consignments were placed under detention, The Ministry of
Food were informed and an undertaking has been received that
the fish will be re-exported and its reimportation prohibited.
Samples were taken in December from a further consignment
landed-at one of the wharves and these showed the-presence of
lead varying from 4 to 10 parts per million. The whole consignment
(7,604 cases) was placed under detention and notification
sent to the Ministry of Food.
Date Juice.
In March, quantities of date juice arrived from Basra at
one of the wharves in the borough. This juice was contained
in 4-gallon petrol cans and 50-gallon oil drums , and samples
were taken to determine whether petrol and cresols were contaminating
the date juice. 11 samples were taken at one
wharf, care being taken to obtain the samples from different
levels in the drums; in addition, 2 bulk samples were taken.
Analyses showed that in all the samples there was an absence
of petrol and cresols and that the lead content was less than
1 part per million, Eventually the date juice was released
for manufacturing purposes.
Arsenical Contamination of Italian Pears .
;During the examination of 17 trucks of Italian pears
which arrived at Bishopsgate Goods Station ex ZeebruggeHarwich
Train Ferry on 2nd August, it was observed that
several of the trucks contained pears which were contaminated
by what appeared to be arsenical insecticide. Three of the
trucks most heavily contaminated were detained, and samples
were taken and submitted to the Public Analyst. In his
report, the Public Analyst stated that the samples contained
only 1/2000, 1/700 and 1/3200 grains of arsenic (as grains
arsenious oxide) per pound of fruit as compared with the
accepted limit of 1/100 grains per pound.. The pears were
subsequently released on .condition that they would be cleaned
before sale to the public .
From that date, all Italian pears were detained pending
full examination and where evidence of Serious contamination
was visible, were released only on condition that cleansing
was carried out before sale.
36