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case, in which a minute quantity of boric acid was detected. The
general conclusions drawn by the Public Analyst are that artificial
colouring matter being absent in every case it is evident that oxide of
iron, aniline dyes, &c., are not in general use; and although in some
cases the meat was uninviting, there was nothing which would warrant
its being condemned as unfit for human food.
In July, 1906, the Public Health Committee reported to the
Council that they had had under consideration a communication from
the Incorporated Society of Medical Officers of Health transmitting a
copy of the following resolutions passed at the annual meeting of the
Metropolitan Branch of that society, viz.:—
"That, in the opinion of the Metropolitan Branch of the
Incorporated Society of Medical Officers of Health, it is necessary
in order to secure better protection for the public in regard to
tinned and preserved foods, that legislation should be passed
embodying the following important reforms ":—
1. The name and address of the manufacturer and the date of
canning shall be impressed on the cans.
2. It shall be unlawful to sell for any purpose canned goods
that are unfit for human consumption, and it shall be
the duty of any person in possession of unsound canned
foods to notify and surrender same to the local authority,
who shall destroy such unsound food free of charge.
3. A certain number of tins (say one per cent.) from each
consignment shall be opened on importation and the
contents examined under the supervision or instructions
of the Sanitary Authority concerned, prior to such
canned foods being placed on the market.
4. Tins which are known in the trade as "doubtfuls" shall
be deemed to be unfit for human consumption.
5. Food intended for canning shall be inspected by
pendent officials prior to being canned, and all foods
shall be canned under strictly hygienic conditions.
G. In the opinion of the branch the use of preservatives in
canned foods is unnecessary, and should under no circumstances
be permitted.
The above-named society forwarded the resolution to the Local
Government Board, the Board of Agriculture, and the London County
Council also, and expressed the hope that this Council would adopt a
similar course.
The Committee, being of opinion that the precautions referred to
in the resolutions were most desirable, recommended, and the Council
resolved, "That communications be addressed to the Local Government
Board, the Board of Agriculture and the London County Council
in support of the action of the Metropolitan Branch of the Incorporated
Society of Medical Officers of Health, and that the Secretary
of the Society be so informed."