[Report 1955] / Medical Officer of Health, Leicester Borough.

  • Leicester (England). Borough Council.
Date:
1955
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1955] / Medical Officer of Health, Leicester Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    145/220 (page 135)
    Luncheon Meat (S.265) This was of Dutch origin and appeared to be in sound condition. The complaint was due to the presence of a blue spot on the surface of the meat, probably caused by a speck of indelible pencil material contami¬ nating the sample before the tin was sealed. Malt Vinegar (S.271) The cap and neck of the bottle were heavily contaminated with a brown viscous liquid, resembling carbolic disinfectant; this contami¬ nation of the vinegar, due to the phenolic smell it imparted, was the cause of complaint. Investigation of the packer’s premises, and the fact that only new bottles were used, indicated that exposure to phenolic substances had, in all probability, taken place after purchase. This conclusion was partially substantiated, since only 9 oz. of the vinegar was presented from a pint bottle. The screw top of this bottle was found to be identical to, and therefore interchangeable with, the tops of bottles in which disinfectant was packed. Grapefruit Mineral Water (S.251) Contamination with pine-oil disinfectant, due to the probable misuse of the bottle by a previous purchaser, and the failure of the bottle¬ washing process to remove the last trace of the substance, was the reason for complaint. Since such misuse of containers is a legally punishable offence, and by normal means it is very difficult to remove the last traces of such substances, the manufacturers are, in this respect, largely in the hands of the public. However, human nature being what it is, in spite of all laws, hygiene education and so on, there will always be that person who must use the nearest container—be it a milk or mineral water bottle—in which to store that odd spot of paraffin or disinfectant. Ironically, these anti-social folk get their full tuppence when returning the bottle, although its possession becomes a big liability to the bottler. The latter would, no doubt, forfeit pounds to have it scrapped if he knew of its condition. Iced Bun (S.249) An iced bun in the bottom of which a drawing-pin was inserted, constituted this sample. Though not rendering the bun itself “unlit for human consumption”, it can be considered to render it potentially dangerous. It was fortunate that, in this case, the child eating the bun detected the pin in its mouth before swallowing it. As in many such cases, it is difficult to decide the origin of the pin, but the vendors were strongly cautioned.