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always produces repercussions elsewhere - often to the disadvantage of
man. Further, these chemical agents, whilst controlling insect or slug
populations, are taken up in the 'food chains' later to be absorbed byother
animals and also by man. The cumulative result of these minute
doses can be assessed only after many years. As is known from other
work, deleterious effects may follow such prolonged exposure. Recent
surveys demonstrate that chlorinated hydro-carbons - D.D.T. is one
are stored largely in the body fat and the average concentrations estimated
post-mortem are rising year by year. Another sequel to the extermination
of slugs and insects is to deny normal predators, such as birds,
access to their food reservoirs - hence it is alleged that 'no birds sing'
in many woods of our country.
The advantages accruing from the use of chemicals having been
acknowledged, and the point taken that some warnings are over-dramatised,
it would seem that more care and supervision is essential to guard the
public health. Stringent provisions exist to combat other risks, for
example by restricting the use of certain colouring matters in food,
and, based on the same rationale, restrictions are now to be enforced
in respect of some chlorinated hydro-carbons. Alternative forms of
biological control include the release of radiation-sterilised males
into insect communities, or odour attractants, to concentrate insects
for ease of disposal. These appear to have a lesser health hazard and
their adoption is encouraged.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, amongst others,
undertakes the testing of foodstuffs for pesticide residues. This
Council, as a food and drugs authority, also has a responsibility
particularly with the large wholesale fruit and vegetable market within
its boundaries. Over the year, a selection of home and foreign grown
produce obtained at the point of sale was sent for testing by the
appointed analyst to determine the degree of contamination with pesticide
residues and all were found to be satisfactory. The tests are expensive
and time-consuming, involving a special study of the effects on colonies
of a selected breed of flies exposed to the washed-off residues.
Home oroduce examined included cabbages, peas, carrots, cauliflowers,
plums and tomatoes; the foreign produce consisting of Spanish onions,
melons, grapes, pomegranates, and French and Tasmanian apples.
Mould in Tomato Paste
It was agreed at a joint meeting of the Port Health Authority and
the Riparian authorities that imports of tomato paste, Particularly from
Italy, should contain not more than 60 percent of fields oositive by the
Howard Mould Count, especially as there seems to be a strong relationship
between high mould counts and the presence of excessive fragments of
rotten tomato in the paste. The limit of 60 percent was to be applied
until the 1963 crops were canned, when a limit of 50 percent would be
f ixed.