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35
FOOD INSPECTION.
The Regulations issued by the Local Government Board, under the Public Health
(Regulations as to Food) Act, 1907, were carried out in the Port of London, and
resulted in 4,847 tons 8 cwts. 1 qr. 5 lbs. of Unsound Food being destroyed or
disposed of in such a manner as to prevent its being used for human consumption.
This shows a reduction in the quantity destroyed of 14.42 per cent, compared
with the year 1916.
A summary of the Unsound Food disposed of is shown in Table X.
In no instance was it necessary to apply for a magistrate's order for the
condemnation and destruction of Unsound Food seized by your Officers.
During the year arrangements were made with the Board of Agriculture and
Fisheries (Food Production Department) that where the owners of certain classes of
goods which had been seized as unfit for human consumption had given consent to
the destruction of the same, the matter should be brought to the notice of the Board
with a view to the goods being utilised in the manufacture of cattle food. This resulted
in considerable quantities of goods being handed over to that Department.
It was not found necessary to serve any Notice under Articles III (5), IV. (1)
and VI. of the Public Health (Foreign Meat) Regulations, 1908, requiring the
exportation of foreign meat.
BEEF.
The total quantity of beef seized and destroyed as unfit for human consumption
was 1,366 quarters 941 crops 76 bags and 342 pieces, weighing 227 tons 11 cwts.
1 qr. 18 lbs.
The largest quantity seized on any ship was 727 quarters and 626 crops, weighing
115 tons 8 cwts ; this was on a vessel which had been on fire.
MUTTON AND LAMB.
The mutton and lamb seized and destroyed totalled 2,651 carcases and 261 pieces,
weighing 44 tons 10 cwts. 2 qrs. 19 lbs.
The largest individual seizure was 1,812 carcases, weighing 29 tons 8 cwts. This
was from the same vessel as the large quantity of beef referred to above.
AUSTRALIAN BEEF AFFECTED WITH "WORM" (ONCHOCERCA).
No beef affected with " Worm" (Onchocerca) came under the notice of your
Officers during the year.
ACTINOMYCOSIS IN OX-TONGUES.
Most of the ox-tongues which arrived in the Port of London were, at the request
of the consignees, removed from the district of the Port Sanitary Authority (without
inspection) to cold stores within the City of London and the Metropolitan Borough of
Finsbury, to be examined there under the supervision of the Medical Officers of Health
of those districts.
In those consignments where a 2 per cent, examination was conducted by your
Officers, none were found to be diseased.