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37
PUBLIC HEALTH (PRESERVATIVES, &c., IN FOOD) REGULATIONS,
1925 to 1927.
For action under these Regulations, reference is directed to the list of foodstuffs
submitted for analysis.
FERTILISERS AND FEEDING STUFFS ACT, 1926.
No samples were taken under this Act during the year.
(2) SHELLFISH.
PUBLIC HEALTH (SHELLFISH) REGULATIONS, 1915.
ORDERS OF NOVEMBER, "1916.
The shellfish layings on the North side of the estuary of the Thames continued
to be subject to the Order issued by the Port of London Sanitary Authority in
November, 1916.
As reported last year, it is desirable to modify this Order, but there is no
provision in the Public Health (Shellfish) Regulations for such modification, and
consequently nothing can be done at present. No cases of illness were reported
during the year as having been traced to the consumption of shellfish from the
layings in the district of the Port of London Sanitary Authority.
(3) SAMPLES OF FOOD EXAMINED DUPING THE YEAR.
Canned Mushrooms prom Russia.
A sample was drawn from a consignment of canned mushrooms from Russia,
and on opening a tin it was noticed that the contents differed in appearance from the
ordinary English mushroom. Specimens were therefore sent to the Director of the
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, with a request that he would kindly report as to whether
these were all true mushrooms or fungi of an edible type.
The Director very kindly had the specimens examined by a member of his Staff,
who reported as follows :—
"This sample submitted contains very young specimens of a species of
Boletus. These are, of course, not true 'mushrooms,' which are Psalliota
campestris, but the word 'mushrooms' is often used loosely for any fungi
of an edible type, and I am told is usually so used in Russia. It is not possible
to give a definite specific determination from such young specimens, but the
habit and reticulate stem indicate either a form of Boletus edulis, the well-known
' cep ' of the Continent, or a species closely allied. I have not seen in this
country such a bright reddish colour in any of the Boletus edulis group, but
a Member of the Imperial Mycological Institute tells me that he is familiar with
this form in Russia and that the colour is just as bright in the fresh state.
According to him, several species of edible Boleti are preserved in liquid,
in either vinegar or salt solution."
Cheese Wrapped in Tin Foil.
Eleven cases of Petit Gruyere cheese arrived from Antwerp in the St. Katharine
Dock on the 24th February, 1928. They remained in store on the Dock.
On the 21st January, 1931, your Food Inspector decided to examine the cheese,
with a view to ascertaining whether it was still sound after nearly three years' storage.
The cheese appeared to be of normal consistency and taste, but the surface
showed dark staining and the inner surface of the tin foil was dull and blackened
where it was in direct contact with the cheese.
A sample was drawn and sent to your Public Analyst, who reported the cheese
to contain 0.69 per cent, of tin, equivalent to 4.83 grains of tin per pound of cheese.
The consignment was accordingly placed under detention and the owner was requested