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Metal in bag of flour.
Metal in corned beef.
Metal in can of tuna fish.
Metal in soup.
Rubber band in can of soup.
Hair in sage and onion stuffing.
Gristle in sausage meat.
Mouse dropping in doughnut *.
Glass in cheese.
White deposits in can of grape-fruit.
Plastic in carton of caramel.
String in icing of bun *.
Wood in pack of butter.
Stale meat pie.
Stale cakes (2) *.
Rancid butter *.
Rotten apples *.
Water in sealed beer can.
Discoloured luncheon meat.
Discoloured tomato soup.
Misdescription of cream pastries.
Mould and dirt in orange drink *.
It will be observed that many of these complaints referred to
mould growths on food, and unsound and soured foods. Many of
these incidents could have been avoided if proper attention had been
paid to the coding of foodstuffs. In this connection a great deal of
publicity has been given nationally and professionally to coding practice
during the past year, and the subject has been discussed by the
Health Committee. Coding for the information of the consumer
would not appear to be practical, since so much depends, not upon
the date the product was made, but upon the quality and freshness of
the food from which it is prepared, and upon conditions of transport
and storage. The Food and Drugs Act gives adequate protection to
anyone who considers that a food purchased is not of the nature,
substance or quality demanded, and in cases of doubt the purchaser
should consult with the public health inspector. Food manufacturers
shoud adopt a national uniform coding system, which should also be
understood by retailers who in turn should make it their business to
be aware of the ' shelf life' of the various foodstuffs sold by them.
The practice of moving stock from shop to shop by van delivery
salesmen, and trading on a sale or return basis, should be prohibited.
By arrangement with other local authorities, complaints concerning
dirty milk bottles which are received by them are referred to me when
the bottle has been found to have been filled at one of the establishments
within the London Borough of Merton. After investigation
(and after report has been made to the Health Committee when necessary)
the facts are notified to the local authority concerned.
Sampling of Food and Drugs.
Samples of food and drugs were sent to the Public Analyst, Messrs.
Moir & Palgrave, 16 Southwark Street, S.E.I, for examination and
report.
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