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(c) By Analysis:—
(7) That tin is present in solution throughout the mass in quantities
represented by 6.16, 6.86, and 7.14 grains per lb.
(Three analyses).
(d) By Taste:—
(8) That the material, purporting to be shredded orange by appearance,
has lost much of the characteristic strength of flavour of orange peel.
(9) That a metallic bitterness is present.
The inferences are as follows:—
From (1), (2) and (3), that these tins have at some period contained blown
(fermented) material.
From (4), (5), (6), (7) and (8), that the material in the tins at the time of
examination was old and constituted that formerly fermenting mass.
From (2) and (8), that the tins were opened, submitted to a process of resterilisation
by re-heating during which the vaporisable flavours were largely lost
to the material, and re-sealed.
From (8), the material is unsound.
From (7) and (9), it is unwholesome and unfit for human consumption.
Its defects and unfitness could be cloaked in the form of a flavourless marmalade
of somewhat soft consistency as regards the solids, or otherwise.
As a foodstuff the almost sole function of which is the stimulation of a zest
for that to which it is added, the material would be practically useless.
The consignees wished the rapid delivery of part of this consignment which
had been sorted out as not presenting an external greasing of the tins—the only
and insufficient criterion of fitness as compared with the remainder.
This material has been seized and destroyed.
In the case of a consignment of 379 cases and 36 crates, weight about 9 tons
3 cwts. 1 qr. 26 lbs., of milk powder, presenting some degree of rancidity it was
suggested that the material should be used for confectionery (sweets) or for cake
making.
Your Medical Officer considers that any process in confection would not more
than disguise the products of rancidity. They would be insufficiently removed to
prevent the nausea to which many people are prone on ingestion or taste of rancid
material.
The consignment will be passed for cattle feeding if suitable guarantees can
be produced.
SWEEPINGS.
With reference to the large item which is to be noted in the Reports on Food
Seizures in this Authority, namely "Sweepings," it is of interest that a huge consignment
of chocolate Easter Eggs was seized and destroyed in the City
of Liverpool on account of the miscellany—metals, woodwork, glass, flinty
materials, etc.—found in the chocolate on analysis.
The chocolate from which these eggs were made was prepared from cocoa
obtained from one of the London Wharves outside the jurisdiction of this Authority,
and may be inferred to have been "sweepings." Another possible source of
the contamination described is sugar sweepings.
THE PUBLIC HEALTH (PRESERVATIVES, ETC., IN FOOD),
REGULATIONS, 1925.
These Regulations may be extracted as follows:—
(I.) These Regulations come into operation on January 1st, 1927.
Part I.
Become operative (1) as to butter and cream on January 1st, 1928.
(2) As to the sale of articles of food in which preservative is introduced
by reason of the preservative content in the material of manufacture,
i.e., bacon, ham, margarine, butter.
July 1st, 1927—articles manufactured from bacon, ham, margarine.
July 1st, 1928—butter.