§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the numerous cases of food poisoning resulting from the consumption of tinned food, he will inquire into the method now used of sealing tins, which employs a rubber strip liable to erosion and wear and replaces a soldering process; what methods of inspection to supervise conditions of tins containing food are now employed; and when it will be possible to resume the soldering method instead of the present procedure
§ Mr. StracheyThere is nothing to indicate that any recent cases of food poisoning have been due to the defective sealing of cans, and I am satisfied that the soldering of cans has no advantage from the point of view of public health over the use of a rubber can-sealing compound. As regards the second part of the hon. Member's Question, inspection methods vary in different canneries, but every canner in his own interest maintains an inspection service to ensure that the canning process is efficiently carried out. In addition to the precautions taken by the manufacturers, the officers of local98W food and drugs authorities, including sanitary inspectors, have power to examine any food offered for sale to the public, in the normal course of their duties, and to condemn any they consider unfit for human consumption. The vast majority of canners in this country use the compound sealing method and if there were any question of turning over to the soldering process it would mean a complete reorganisation of the industry with no benefit to the public.