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59
They were allowed to do this, but twelve hours before the time fixed for
taking them to the Police Court they communicated with me, asking that the
sardines might be destroyed, stating that the report of their Analyst was not
so favourable as they had anticipated.
It is clear, but for the action of the Food Inspector, the whole of this
consignment would have been manipulated in some way and sold again for
the food of man.
Large quantities of boned meat and casks of sausage meat continue to be
imported. This has been examined carefully, but no evidence has been found
which would indicate that this meat was otherwise than sound, and, in
consequence, it has been allowed to go for human consumption. The
carcasses of animals killed in the country or imported as such are rigorously
inspected, and if found diseased or unsound, are seized and destroyed. In
the case of meat cut up into small pieces no guarantee can be obtained that
it has not come from animals the subject of disease in some form or other,
and certainly a large loophole exists here for the importation of the flesh of
diseased animals, or even of animals not usually eaten by human beings in
this country.
An unusual seizure was recently made in the Royal Victoria Dock of
twelve turtles which were found to be dead, and unfit for the food of man.
They were accordingly seized and destroyed in the usual manner.
Large quantities of " renovated " butter continue to be imported ; it is
almost certain that this consists of butter which has become rancid, then
treated chemically to remove the rancidness, and subsequently churned
with fresh milk and exported to this country. I had samples taken of one of
the first consignments which entered the Port of London, but the report of
the Analyst did not justify my taking any further action.
On the 21st September last an Inspector discovered 14 cases containing
tinned goose livers, which had been landed in the St. Katharine's Dock.
The goods were consigned to the order of a firm of carriers.
On inspecting them, it was found that a large percentage of the tins were
blown and full of gas, and that the top and bottom of the tins were quite
convex, and that it was impossible to indent them by pressure.
On communicating with the firm of carriers, it was ascertained that the
owner of the goods lived in Austria, and at their request the usual proceedings
under the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, were put in abeyance
until they could communicate with the owner.