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17
On the motion of the Rev. Canon Horsley, the following
resolutions were adopted: (a) "That in the opinion of this conference
the provisions of section 25 of the Sale of Food and Drugs Act,
1875, and section 20 of the Amendment Act of 1899 operate to the
prejudice of the purchaser and the public health, and should be
repealed, leaving the seller to his remedy at common law against the
persons from whom he purchased; (b) that notices in shops, etc., to
the effect that milk therein is not warranted as pure shall be no
defence; (c) that the act of mixing water or separated milk with
whole milk for the purpose of sale shall be made a penal offence, and
(d) that any Metropolitan Borough Council shall be enabled to sample
at any railway station milk coming to dairymen in the area of that
borough, although the station may be in another district."
It was resolved to send copies of the resolutions to the Local
Government Board and the Board of Agriculture, asking them to
give legal effect to them.
CANNED MEATS.
In consequence of recent occurrences with regard to this matter,
a circular letter was sent by the Local Government Board to the
various Medical Officers of Health for the Metropolis, giving certain
directions with regard to the matter. The letter was as follows:—
Local Government Board.
Office of Inspector of Foods,
50, Parliament Street, S.W.
19 th June, 1906.
Dear Sir,
I understand that in many administrative districts under
the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts, samples of canned and
preserved meats are being sent to public analysts. In view of
the recent events in the United States, I am anxious to utilize
the opportunity to collect information as to the use of preservatives
and colouring matters in the foods in question. The presence
of preservatives and colours in such foods as sausages, potted
shrimps, etc., has often, of course, been ascertained, but the
condition of certain other meat products, whether of home or
foreign manufacture, in regard to preservatives is less clearly
established; and there seems to be special need for information
as to presence or absence of preservative in canned, tinned or
other foods which are hermetically sealed, in view of the indication
that may be afforded that the meat was not fresh at the
time of "canning."
Accordingly I am inviting public analysts by letter to supply
me with facts as to preservatives and colouring matters in any
meat products which they have lately examined or may shortly
be receiving.
d