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In order that this information may be as complete as possible
1 would be much obliged if you would kindly arrange to transmit
to the analyst, in regard of samples lately collected, or shortly to
be collected, full particulars as to each sample, namely:—
(a) The description of the article purchased.
(b) The nature of the receptacle, if any, in which it was
purchased (hermetically sealed tin or can, covered pot, &c.)
(c) The name of the manufacturer, brand of goods, or
any other statement on the label. I may state here that it is
not intended to make published use of any name, &c., by
which individual firms could be indentified.
I would like to make a further suggestion regarding samples
shortly to be collected, namely, that in case of meat products in
cans, tins, etc., it would often be best that the whole sample as
purchased be sent to the analyst. This proceeding would prevent
prosecutions being instituted in the case of such samples, but on
the other hand the principal point in many of these cases, alike
for local and central authority, is knowledge of facts, before
questions of prosecution are considered. By not dividing the
sample the analyst has more material for examination, he can if
he desires make bacteriological examination to see if the contents
of the can, etc., are sterile, and he is better acquainted with the
nature of the material he is testing.
If, in ordinary circumstances arrangements regarding sampling
under the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts do not come under
your direction, I would be glad if you would kindly forward this
to the officer or officers of the Council with whom such arrangements
rest.
I am, Yours faithfully,
(Signed) G. S. Buchanan.
To the Medical Officer of Health, Deptford.
In accordance with the directions contained in this letter, a number
of samples of canned meats and other foods were purchased and
submitted to the public analyst. There were 29 samples in all, consisting
of soup, fish, meat pastes, cooked corned beef, roast meats,
brawn, tongue, beef loaf, veal loaf, vienna sausage, corned beef hash,
and pork and beans.
These particulars were submitted to the Public Health Committee
on the 11th July, when the report of the public analyst, on the
examination thereof was read ; from which it appeared that in some
cases the meat was fresh and good, in others there was considerable
action on the tin and the contents were unusually soft, in others the
samples were described as in an unsatisfactory condition as regards
appearance, while in one instance he states that " while it is impossible
to say that it is unfit for food, its appearance generally may be
described as objectionable."
The report also stated that all the specimens had been carefully
analysed for preservatives, but with negative results, except in one
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