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(1) A householder had made some plum jam and noticed after
emptying the iron pan in which it was boiled that a quantity
of the galvanised interior was missing. A sample of the jam
was sent to the Public Analyst who reported that it contained
0.12 per cent. of Zinc which is equivalent to 5.45 grains
per lb. of Zinc or to 24 grains per lb. of Zinc Sulphate.
The proportion of Zinc was grossly excessive and rendered
the article unfit for human consumption.
Galvanised containers are quite unsuitable for jam boilingowing
to the ease with which Zinc is dissolved by the acids
of the fruit.
Particulars were sent to the Ministry of Health.
(2) A tin of household milk was brought to me by a householder
who complained that it smelt strongly of carbolic. This was
easily confirmed and the specimen was forwarded to the
Public Analyst for investigation. He found that through
some mischance of manufacture there was an accumulation
of blue lacquer at one spot near the upper rim of the tin.
When the lid was placed in position some of this lacquer was
squeezed up between the lid and the tin and gained entry
to the inside, in this way being finally sealed by the white
adhesive strip. The volatile solvent from the lacquer slowly
evaporated and was absorbed by the dried milk giving rise to
the contamination noted by the purchaser. The smell was
undoubtedly one of cresol or " carbolic acid " and although
the actual quantity absorbed by the milk was very small it
rendered it unfit for food. This was a very rare and interesting
occurrence and particulars were given to the Food
Executive Officer for transmission to the appropriate department
of the Ministry of Food.
(3) A specimen of gorgqnzola cheese (about ½ lb.) thought to
have caused stomach pains. I tested this by eating the cheese
myself with no ill results.
(4) Some trouble was experienced with one particular brand of
sweetened machine skimmed condensed milk. When opened
the contents of a number of these tins were found to be
completely solid with rather unpleasant taste. It appears
that the trouble was fairly widespread. Particulars were
given to the Food Executive Officer who forwarded them to
the London Divisional Food Officer.
SMOKE ABATEMENT.
Some time has been spent in regard to this problem which,
at the present moment, owing to fuel difficulties, has not been
an easy one to solve. Complaints were received regarding the
emission of gritty particles from the chimneys at one large
factory and although a considerable amount of money had
been spent, both at the commencement of the war and since
its termination, in the provision of grit extractors the trouble
has still persisted. During the year the firm in question decided