Report / Department of Public Health, Tasmania.

  • Tasmania. Department of Public Health.
Date:
[1949]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report / Department of Public Health, Tasmania. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    8/22 (page 8)
    8 1950. Of this number, 16 were found slightly below the pre¬ scribed standard, but owing to the deficiencies being slight, warnings were issued in these cases. With a view to further safeguarding food supplies from possible con¬ tamination, draft regulations in this respect have been prepared, and will be submitted for approval in the near future. Examination of Berry Fruits. Following the setting up of standards under the Food and Drugs Regulations for this class of fruit, extensive supervision of fruit delivered to processing factories and receiving depots was exercised during the season. With the assistance of officers of the Agricultural Department, and the appointment of additional temporary food inspectors who were stationed at processing factories and depots, fruit on arrival was tested by approved appliances for ascertaining if this was up to standard required. As the result of such supervision, 6520 tests were carried out. Places of Public Entertainment Act. Frequent visits were made by inspectors to places of public entertainment throughout the State, with a view to enforcing the regulations regarding the construction and maintenance of buildings and safety of the public. Conclusion. In conclusion, I desire to thank council clerks and local health inspectors for their co-operation and assistance. As usual, the inspectorial staff has given loyal and conscientious service throughout the year. H. H. PARKER, M.R.S.I., Chief Health Inspector. Appendix II. REPORT OF GOVERNMENT ANALYST FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30th JUNE, 1949. Staff. Miss D. A. Alcock joined the staff in January as a part- time technical assistant. Two permanent positions, one senior and the other junior, are unfilled. The work of the latter is being done with the aid of temporary assistance. Chemical Analyses and Investigations. The following tables show the various materials examined, and the sources from which they were received:— Table I.—Materials Examined— Foods . 371 Petroleum products (petrol, kerosene, lubricating oil, &c.). 137 Alcoholic liquors . 125 Fruit and fruit products . 108 Water and Sewage . 106 Soils . 101 Human milks . 28 Animal nutrition specimens . 27 Flock and bedding . 19 Pesticides . 15 Human toxicology . 14 Animal toxicology . 8 Hydrometers and thermometers. 9 Paints and building materials . 8 Drugs and medicines . 6 Disinfectants and preservatives . 6 Fertilisers . 5 Plant nutrition specimens . 8 Soaps and cleaning materials . 2 Textiles and paper . 1 Criminal investigation . 1 Miscellaneous . 20 Total . 1125 Table II.—Sources of samples— State Departments: Department of Public Health 262 Department of Agriculture . 127 Police Department . 14 Public Works Department . 4 Transport Commission . 21 Supply and Tender Department . 6 Forestry Department . 6 Hydro-Electric Commission . 1 Attorney-General’s Department . 2 Commonwealth Departments: Department of Trade and Customs 256 Department of Commerce and Agri- culture . 39 Postmaster General’s Department .... 1 Department of the Navy . 1 City Councils and Local Authorities 115 Child Welfare Centres . 23 Hospitals and Institutions . H Private Firms and Persons . 236 Total . 1125 The number of samples examined was greater than that for the corresponding six months of 1948. Considerable activity in milk sampling and more soils from the Depart¬ ment of Agriculture accounted for some of the increase. Food and Drugs Act Analyses. The following table summarises the results of analyses of food samples taken officially by inspectors under the Food and Drugs Act:— Number of Number Foodstuff Samples Below Received. Standard Beverages . 2 Butter . 6 1 Bread . 3 Baking powder . 1 Cereal products . 6 Cordials and fruit juices .... 3 1 Custard and dessert pow¬ ders . 5 1 Essences . 2 Food colours . 1 1 Fish products . 3 Honey . 2 Ice cream mix . 1 Jelly crystals . 1 Meat products . 10 5 Milk . 155 34 Edible oils and fats . 3 1 Savouries and spreads .... 10 1 Soups (canned) . 2 Spices and condiments. 6 1 Sugar and confectionery .... 1 Totals . 223 46 In addition, a number of samples of berry fruits, taken by inspectors at the factories, were checked as to com¬ pliance with the berry fruit standards of the Food and Drugs Regulations before being condemned or released. The proportion of samples not complying with the requirements of the regulations was 20-6%. Apart from milk, however, there were few serious adulterations. Samples of spread, meat paste, cordial and food colour did not comply with the labelling requirements. A sample of sausage was low in meat content and high in preserva¬ tive. A sample of Salami sausage was unsound. A sample of margarine did not contain starch as required. A sample of butter contained more than the permitted amount of water. Milk. A detailed examination of the results of analysis of milk samples taken by inspectors of the Department and local authorities shows the following:— No. of Percentage Samples. of Total. Complied with standard .... 121 78-1 Deficient in fat only . Below standard in total 3 1-9 solids and/or non-fatty solids. 20 12-9 Adulterated with water .... Contained foreign matter 10 6-5 (dirt) . 1 0-6 Totals . 155 100-0 The proportion of samples below standard is highei than in 1948, the percentage of watered samples being again high.