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V. INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION OF FOOD.
There have been increased imports of beef and pork from Yugoslavia
arriving at Bishopsgate Goods Station via the Zeebrugge-Harwich Train
Ferry, The beef arrives as chilled quarters (fores & hinds) and generally
speaking, is in good condition.
The meat is inspected for condition and for the presence of the
official veterinary certificate on each quarter, (required under the Public
Health (imported Food) Regulations). The latter signifies that the animals
have received ante- and post-mortem veterinary inspection, and are free
from disease. A small percentage of the trucks arrives with meat out of
condition and requiring trimming. The beef concerned is allowed to go only
to the Central Meat Market, Smithfield, for trimming under the supervision
of the City Corporation Meat Inspectors.
As will be noted on page 35 the year has seen a very large increase in
bacteriological sampling of desiccated coconut, imported dried whole egg
and egg albumen at the wharves in the Borough, It is gratifying to report
a substantial decrease in the number of samples of desiccated coconut which
were found to contain salmonella organisms; only 2 out of 841 samples examined
being unsatisfactory. There is little doubt that the stringent sampling
procedures and, where necessary, detention and re-export or destruction
of the affected consignments, which operate in the United Kingdom, have
resulted in a distinct improvement in the methods of handling and preparation
of the product in Ceylon.
These measures also apply to imports of processed egg. The percentage
of positive samples is higher here than in the case of desiccated coconut.
Affected consignments of dried egg powder or dried egg albumen are detained
at the wharves for re-export, or, in the case of albumen, for suitable
heat-treatment to sterilise the product,
Compared with 1960, there has been a sharp decrease in the number of
samples of Formosan black tea containing excess of lead. The permitted
maximum is 10 parts of lead, per million parts of tea. Where consignments
are found, on analysis of samples, to contain lead in excess of this
maximum, they are released only for blending with other teas to reduce the
amount of lead to the permitted limit. The local authorities into whose
areas the tea is sent are notified.
Under the Lead in Food Regulations, 1961, which comes into operation
on 16th April, 1962, the import of tea, which contains lead in excess of
10 parts per million will be prohibited. A Code of Practice was issued
during the year jointly by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of
Agriculture, Fisheries & Food covering Poultry Dressing and Packing.
In June and July, there were several cases of food poisoning attributable
to cream confectionery which included frozen whole egg as an ingredient,
One of the suppliers of this egg was a Stepney firm. In consultation
with Dr. Galbraith of the Central Public Health Laboratory, Colindale,
and Dr, Toalinson of the Public Health Laboratory, County Hall, samples were
taken at this firm. Also included were some samples originating from eggs
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