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stage of blowing, that is to say, there is a slightly positive instead of a negative
pressure in the can. I would suggest that so-called "slack caps" or "springers"
should be treated as blown cans unless the Pood Inspector is absolutely satisfied that
there is not a positive pressure in the can.
6. Action to be taken in regard to cans opened for examination by Customs Officers,
Merchants, &c.—The usual practice is to re-solder these cans and return them to the
cases. But the cans have been unsealed and air has been admitted; they are very
likely to blow subsequently, and I suggest that re-soldering should be prohibited, and
that the cans should only be allowed to go for immediate consumption.
7. Action to be taken in regard to cans showing slight evidence of leakage.—It not
infrequently happens that cans show evidence of having leaked slightly at the seams,
but the leakage has become sealed by drying of the exuded material. It is sometimes
argued that the contents are perfectly sound. I would suggest that any can showing
any evidence of having leaked, however slightly, at any time, should be condemned
as unsound.
8. Notifications to the Sanitary Authority of Trade Examinations.—A percentage
of the majority of consignments of canned food is examined by or on behalf of the
merchants. I would suggest that the Sanitary Authority should be notified of the
time and place of all such examinations. This would often enable the Sanitary
Authority to judge the condition of consignments more efficiently and with less inconvenience
than by a separate but probably more limited inspection.
9. Action to be taken on application of merchants to remove goods to another district
for sorting or reconditioning.—Applications of this nature are often made. I would
suggest that in every case the Medical Officer of Health of the district to which the
goods are to be removed should be asked if he is prepared to supervise the process
and notify the Port Medical Officer of Health of the result.
10. Methods of control of foodstuffs released for industrial purposes.—Much unsound
food is not destroyed, but is used for various purposes other than human consumption,
e.g., the manufacture of soap, grease, poultry food, &c., or for the feeding of cattle
or pigs. In the Port of London it has been the practice to obtain guarantees from
the ultimate users, but in my opinion it would be better not to release the goods until
the Medical Officer of Health of the district of destination has signified his willingness
to receive the goods into his district and to supervise their disposal.
11. Method of control of sweepings of flour, rice, sugar, &c.—I would suggest that
these should always be controlled and should not be allowed to be used for human
consumption, except in the case of sugar, which may be so used after refining in a
sugar factory.
12. biterchange of information.—It is impossible to sample all imported foodstuffs
in any one Port, and I would suggest that when unsatisfactory conditions are,
found, particularly such as can only be detected by chemical or bacteriological
examination, the information should be circulated to other Ports likely to receive
similar consignments.
I hope you will consider these various points, which are all raised as the result of
difficulties which have been experienced in the Port of London. We can only sample
the enormous quantities of foodstuffs which are imported, but if we all work on similar
lines, and if we exchange information freely, I feel sure that unsatisfactory conditions
will not long remain undetected."
The following Report is presented by Mr. R. Clifford, who, as your Food Inspector
on the London and St. Katharine Docks, has much practical experience in the inspection
of canned foods and who has taken a particularly keen interest in this branch of
the work
Slack-Capped Tins.
(By R. Clifford, Food Inspector.)
Much controversy has centred around the question of slack-capped tins (or
"slacks" as known by the Trade), a type of tin occasionally met with during the
examination of canned goods. The term is generally understood to mean a tin having