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31
During 1935, 55 samples were examined and the degree of contamination with
lead varied from nil to 40 parts per million, though only one sample contained no
lead. The average contamination per sample was 11.7 parts of lead per million.
Nine consignments representing 880 cases or 88,000 tins of sardines were
re-exported.
At the beginning of the year 12 tins were drawn from a consignment of sardines,
and each month the contents of one tin were analysed with a view to ascertaining
whether the degree of lead contamination was affected by the period of storage.
Previous experience had shown that if a number of tins are taken from one consignment
and the contents of each tin are analysed separately the degree of lead contamination
will be found to vary considerably; for example, in May, 1934, six tins taken from one
consignment gave respectively the following results : 13, 18, 22, 22, 24 and 58 parts
per million of lead. For this reason, and because it is believed that the contamination
takes place principally during the preparation of the sardines before they are put
into the tins, it was not expected that this investigation would show that storage
had any effect on the lead content of the fish. This proved to be the case, the results
in parts per million of lead over the 12 months consecutively were 14. 13, 20, 14, 25,
25, 20, 21, 18, 15, 14 and 17. These figures are well within the limits of variation
found when a number of tins are examined at the time of arrival of a consignment,
and there is obviously no relation between the lead content of the fish and the period
of storage.
During 1935 a number of samples of tinned fish were examined for metallic
contamination and the presence of prohibited preservatives.
Amongst these imports were frequent consignments of fish from Sweden for
use in the restaurant trade as hors d'œuvre and entered as:—
Herrings in Remoulade Sauce. Pary Herrings.
„ ,, Madeira Sauce.
„ „ Dill Sauce. Herring Tit Bits.
„ „ Onion Sauce.
„ ,, Mustard Sauce.
Anchovy sprats in Oyster Sauce, Kron Anchovies.
Koster Tit Bits. Koster Sills.
Fish Balls.
Kaviare.
The tin content of the majority of the samples examined was very low, but in
practically every case a preservative (benzoic acid) was detected.
This fact was brought to the notice of the Importers, and towards the latter part
of the year consignments began to arrive which contained no preservative.
It was noted that in a few consignments the tins bore an inscription to the effect
that the contents contained a certain amount of benzoic acid. This was accounted
for by the fact that certain countries do not prohibit the addition of preservatives.
In June, at the request of the Ministry of Health, a number of samples of
Californian oranges were drawn and examined for the presence of boric acid on the
skins.
It has been stated that when imported into this country oranges have been
found to be treated in various ways. The external treatment of this fruit has included
the use of formaldehyde and boron preservatives; treatment with borax and
colouring matter ; coating with paraffin-wax; and the covering of the skins with a
varnish of coloured cellulose.