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GRAPES FROM CRETE.
On information from the Ministry of Health that cases of arsenical poisoning were
alleged to have occurred recently among the grape growers in Crete a large consignment,
the first of its kind to arrive in the Port of London, was temporarily detained pending
the sampling of the grapes for the presence of arsenic.
Arsenic was recovered from one of the ten bunches examined, but in very small
quantity. The grapes were released.
A further consignment which arrived ten days later was permitted to be unloaded
and to be sent to the London Central Markets at Covent Garden and Spitalfields on
the understanding that they would be retained there pending sampling. The samples
taken revealed the presence of traces of arsenic in the bunches of grapes, but only on
the stalk, and not on the fruit itself. The consignment was released.
In the meantime discussions took place between your Medical Officer and the
Greek Legation, and information was eventually received from Crete via the Greek
Legation which satisfied your Medical Officer, that although minute traces of arsenic
might be present on the stalk, the fruit itself was to all intents and purposes free from
arsenic and in this respect safe for human consumption.
CARGO OF APPLES PER SS. "TACOMA STAR."
During the course of routine examination of a cargo of apples which arrived in
the Royal Albert Dock on the 27th July, from Australia, your Food Inspector, Mr. E. H.
Johnson, found a number of apples to be affected with what appeared to be " brown
heart." This condition was found to affect only one particular variety of apple,
of which there were approximately 80,000 boxes on board, and seemed to be confined
to the apples carried in the lower holds of the vessel, those in the 'tween decks being
unaffected.
Owing to the fact that it was impossible to detect by external examination the
condition of the apples, your Medical Officer ordered that the whole of the suspected
variety be placed under detention on the dock.
Subsequently, after discussion between your Medical Officer and representatives
of the National Federation of Fruit and Potato Trades' Association, the consignment
was released to the various merchants concerned under guarantee that the whole of
the apples would be taken to their premises and there dealt with under the supervision
of the local Medical Officer of Health. The names and addresses of the consignees,
together with quantities and shipping marks of their apples, were obtained from the
dock, and the local Medical Officers of Health informed of the circumstances.