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131
Pesticides in Food Survey.
With other Food and Drug Authorities the Council has participated
in a scheme to ascertain the extent of contamination of foodstuffs by
toxic chemicals.
During the year eighteen samples of commodities were submitted for
this purpose ahd details of this survey will be given in subsequent
reports.
FOODS SUBJECT OF COMPLAINT.
A total of 135 complaints about articles of food were received
during the year, all were thoroughly investigated and appropriate
action taken. Moulds and foreign bodies are the main reasons for
complaint, the variety of the latter are endless and included during
this year were flies, snail, brooch, glass, wood, cement, shell and
bolt.
Failure by retailers to maintain effective stock rotation continues
to result in foodstuffs being sold out of condition on occasion.
This is particularly important with perishable foods such as sausages,
pies and wrapped bakery goods which are subject to mould growth.
Attention of retailers is being constantly drawn to the need for coding
such wrapped commodities so that the length of time they have been in
stock is known.
The following complaints were considered sufficiently serious to
necessitate report to the Health and Welfare Committee for their
instructions.
Bermalin Loaf containing foreign material.
A resident when making toast observed a piece of metal in a slice
from a loaf purchased from a shop in the Borough. The metal was
identified as zinc which had probably come from the galvanize on a scale
pan at the bakery. The Council decided to institute legal proceedings
under Section 2 of the Food and Drugs Act, 1955 and at the hearing the
defendants pleaded guilty and were fined £10 with £10.3.0.costs.
Fish Finger containing glass.
Whilst eating a fish finger a young lady bit on something hard which
on being removed from her mouth was found to be glass. The manufacturers
were unable to ascertain the origin of the glass. Proceedings were
instituted, a plea of guilty entered and a fine of £5. with 6 guineas
costs imposed.