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Metallic contamination Brawn at top Blackened brawn at
end of can bottom end of can
Lead 2.8 parts 3.0 parts
per million per million
Tin 0.6 grain 1.4 grain
per pound per pound
Unpened—When opened there was a slight 'metallic' or 'sulphury'
smell. The appearance of the brawn, including the outside surface, was
normal although the whole of the inside surfaces of the can were blackened.
The taste of the brawn was satisfactory.
Bacteriological examination—sterile.
Metallic contamination—The thin sections of brawn against the
blackened sides were analysed.
Lead 3.5 parts per million.
Tin 0.5 parts per million.
Conclusions—The evidence afforded by our examination is that the
discolouration of the brawn was not due to any bacteriological activity but
to some interaction between the meat of the brawn or ingredients of the
brawn and the metal of the cans. Such interaction even when slight would
account for any 'sulphury' smell and blackening because the reaction between
the iron of the can and the traces of sulphur naturally present in meat
would yield black sulphide of iron and free sulphur.
The amounts of tin and lead found to be present cannot be considered
as harmful and there is therefore no reason other than the appearance of
the brawn why it should not be used for human consumption."
As 30-40 cases, each containing 12 tins were involved, consultations
took place with the Public Health Department of Stepney and the Ministry
of food during which time the local consignment was held by the whole-
sale butcher. After about five months a further examination was made
with the following result.
“ This sample consisted of an unopened tin. When opened there was a
strong sulphury smell faintly suggestive of decomposition. When turned
out the roll was found to have a long black line on a thin fat layer with
corresponding marks on the inside of the tin. There were also some black
areas at one end of the roll. These black fatty areas were cut out and
analysed in comparison with clean portions of meat taken from the centre
of the roll with the following results—
Tin Lead
Black areas 0.3 grain per pound 0.5 part per million
Sound areas 0.3 grain per pound 0.5 part per million
Having regard to the objectional smell, and to the discolouration, I am
opinion that this roll of meat was no longer suitable for human consumption
though the contamination with tin and lead cannot be regarded
as harmful.”
The matter was finally closed by the withdrawal of the consignment.
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