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A Dumber of complaints regarding foodstuffs were received during
the year, some of which are worth recording:—
(1) Some strawberry jam was alleged to have a peculiar taste.
The public analyst reported that it was rather dark in colour and a
little out of the ordinary. It was, nevertheless, free from preservatives,
contained the correct proportions of strawberries and sugar and was
pure and wholesome.
(2) A complaint was received of some foreign matter in a packet
of flour. This proved to be mice dirts. The flour had been purchased
about three weeks before complaint was made and about 2/3rds of it
had been used. Contamination may have occurred, therefore, after
purchase although a visit to the house failed to reveal any obvious
signs of infestation. In view of this and other facts the town clerk
advised against a prosecution and it was decided to take no further
action.
(3) A half pound packet of butter was brought to me which
was alleged to have been nibbled by mice. A close examination of the
shop failed to reveal any evidence of mice but several other damaged
packets were found, ft was eventually established that the damage was
due to a defective fastener on the case in which the butter was delivered.
(4) A match was found embedded in the interior of a cream
wafer. The wafer was retailed in a tin which had been imported
from Holland. Particulars were forwarded to the Food Standards and
Hygiene Division of the Ministry of food.
(5) A cigarette end was found in a packet of potato crisps. As
the crisps had been cooked, packeted and purchased outside this area,
particulars were sent to the district concerned for action.
(6) A piece of medicated elastic plaster soiled with blood was
found in a packet of sliced bread. Proceedings were instituted in this
case. The bakers concerned were fined £5.
(7) Some fancy cakes were brought to me with the complaint
that they had an objectional taste. The public analyst reported that,
apart from some slight staleness, the cakes were of a satisfactory nature
and suitable for human consumption.
(8) A cigarette end was found embedded in a loaf of bread.
Proceedings were instituted in this case. The defendants pleaded guilty
and were fined £5 with £3 3s. Od. costs.
(9) A piece of metal, about ¾ of an inch in length in the shape
of a nail or pin was found embedded in a wrapped sweet. Proceedings
were instituted in this case. The defendants were found guilty but were
granted an absolute discharge on payment of £10 10s. Od. costs.
N.B.—The sliced bread and the wrapped sweet in the notes above
(instances 6 and 9) were produced outside this area, whilst the loaf of
bread (instance 8) was of local origin.