§ Mr. Errollasked the Minister of Food how many discoveries of food which had become unfit for human consumption while stored in warehouses controlled by his Department were reported during January and the first three weeks of February of this year; what quantities and varieties of food were involved; whether any disciplinary action is contemplated; and what steps are being taken to prevent similar cases from arising in the future
§ Sir B. Smith:Pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 27th February, 1946, Vol. 419, col. 388] "supplied the following statement
About 950 reports of small quantities of food being condemned as unfit for human consumption in warehouses controlled by the Ministry of Food were received during the period under review. 106W Quantities and particulars are given in the table below. Except in the one case of canned fruit, where defects in manufacture were responsible, the quantities involved represent a small fraction of the tonnage stored, and indicate a degree of efficiency in storage which compares favourably with prewar commercial experience. No disciplinary action is called for. In addition, in the early months of the year very severe flooding damaged foodstuffs in some districts. These, however, have been reconditioned and re-issued for human consumption with negligible loss.
DETAILS OF FOOD FOUND UNFIT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION IN WAREHOUSES CONTROLLED BY THE MINISTRY DURING THE PERIOD IST IANUARY TO 23RD FEBRUARY, 1946 commodity Quantities and Varieties involved Dried Fruit 50 cwts 24½ lbs Dried Egg 43 cwts Condensed Milk 19 tons Butter 22½ Cwts Milk Powder. 3 cwts 98 lbs. Canned Fish 4 tons Frozen Meat. 32 tons 16 cwts Canned Meat 18 tons 7 cwts. Fish 38 stones 8 lbs. Frozen Fish Tea 214 lbs. Canned Fruit 924 cases Tomato Puree 83 cases Beans in Tomato 125 cases Cereals and Cereal Products 165 tons