View report page

Spices are, of course, only consumed in small quantities; but it must be emphasized that carcinogens
cannot be compared with most other poisons. They have no "threshold of safety", and
there is reason to believe that the minutest dose may evoke a cancerous tendancy that may be
passed on from generation to generation of body cells until long after the poison has been excreted
a malignancy may develop in some part of the digestive system of the body. For this reason a
great deal of work is devoted in this laboratory to the detection of such substances in food; and
although most of the work yields negative results and consequently does not appear in the laboratory
reports, it may be mentioned that prohibited "C" Class dyes, i.e. "Colours which have
been shown to have, or are suspected to have, harmful effects on health", were also found in
various other imported foods, including Canned Beans, Canned Mussels, Mixed Pickles, Fruit
Cakes, Petit Fours and a Colouring Liquid, the following dyes being identified:— Brilliant Blue
FCF, Orange GGN, Metanil Yellow, Guinea Green B and Fuchsine.
INEVITABLE WASTE OF BANANAS
Over the past few years much has been written and more has been said about the waste of good
bananas at No. 35 Shed, Royal Albert Dock, the regular banana discharge berth. It would, therefore,
seem appropriate to throw some light on this very controversial subject by an examination
of the facts.
During 1965, 57 cargoes comprising 72,541 tons of Jamaican bananas were discharged at No.
35 Shed and out of these 1,470 tons were surrendered to the Port Health Authority for destruction
by burial at Surridge's Controlled Refuse Tip, Mucking Flats, East Tilbury. This represents
2.03% of the total carried. The bananas are discharged from the ships by means of continuous
conveyor belts and four experienced banana selectors are stationed at the belt terminals to reject
any bananas considered unsuitable for delivery to the ripening chambers.
By far the greatest reason for rejection (about 92%) is due to Santa Marta Stem End Rot
(Gloeosporium). This is a decay of the stem ends of individual fingers eventually resulting in the
fingers dropping off the hand. It is caused by a fungus which infects the stem ends where they
have been previously creased by mechanical damage. The remaining 8% rejected is accounted
for by other fungus diseases, mechanical damage, and over ripeness. It is these over-ripe (yellow)
bananas that attract attention while in the refuse barge.
The question of alternative disposal of the 2.03% of waste bananas is always under consideration.
Practically the only outlet is for animal feeding, but, because the fruit has to be
peeled, it presents a less attractive proposition to the buyer, and the price offered makes the
transaction hardly worthwhile
Barge laden with Waste Bananas
IMPORTED MEAT CONTROL
The work of meat control in the Royal Docks Group continued successfully throughout the
year, although it is evident that more could be achieved over a wider range of imported meat if
the inspection room was enlarged. To this end, representation has been made to the Port of
London Authority and is being favourably considered.
35