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The total number of samples taken was slightly greater than during the
previous year and the number of unsatisfactory samples was increased from 4 in
1957 to 18 in 1958.
The following are the details from the Chief Officer's report on the 18
unsatisfactory samples and the action taken:-
Milk
The one sample of milk which was found to be unsatisfactory was from a ⅓
pint bottle sold to a school in the Borough. The milk contained splinters of
glass and the evidence showed that this was in the bottle before it was capped
at the processing depot. The processors were prosecuted and were fined
£10. 0s. Od. together with £3. 3s. Od. costs.
Cakes, etc.
A complaint was received from a private purchaser that two apple fruit pies
purchased from a retailer had an unusual taste suggesting some contamination.
Two similar fruit pies were purchased from the same shop by an officer of the
Public Control Department. In respect of all these pies the public analyst
certified that they were tainted with a hydrocarbon solvent resembling naphtha.
Enquiries revealed that the trader had treated the floor of his shop on the
previous evening with a proprietary floor dressing and it appeared likely that
the pies had become contaminated with the vapour given off by this floor dressing.
A sample of this dressing was also sent to the public analyst who expressed
his opinion that it was undoubtedly the cause of the trouble. An official
caution was sent to this trader in respect of his sales of these pies.
Cheese
Nine samples of cheese, all the product of the same manufacturers were
purchased from various shops in the Borough. The cheese was pre-packed in cardboard
cartons each of which contained an assortment of six different varieties.
Offences were disclosed in respect of the labelling of these packets; some of
the varieties were not correctly described and with some of the packets the
prescribed labelling was not marked clearly and conspicuously. A letter of
caution was sent to the manufacturers who immediately re-labelled all the stock
of this particular food which they held.
Fresh Fruit
Two samples of fresh fruit, grown in the Lebanon, were purchased from a
retailer and arsenic and lead was found on the skins of the fruit in each case
very slightly in excess of the maximum recommended as being unobjectionable.
The trader was cautioned and advised that adequate washing of such apples would
substantially reduce if it did not entirely remove, the contamination which was
probably the outcome of spraying by the growers.
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