Final report of the Royal Commission appointed to inquire into arsenical poisoning from the consumption of beer and other articles of food or drink. Pt. 1, Final report.

  • Great Britain. Royal Commission on Arsenical Poisoning.
Date:
1903
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Final report of the Royal Commission appointed to inquire into arsenical poisoning from the consumption of beer and other articles of food or drink. Pt. 1, Final report. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    condition in which it was supplied to him by B (e.g., the manufacturer, importer, or giver of warranty); or that the contamination is due to an ingredient supplied by C; it should be possible for A to attach B (or C as the case may be) to the prosecution. The same principle should apply to the person thus associated in the defence, if he in his turn alleges that a third party is responsible, by breach of warranty or otherwise, for the adulteration or contamination of the final product. We think that if the whole of the facts are thus brought before the Court at one hearing, responsibility can be properly brought home to the real offender ina way not at present possible. In making this recommendation we have had in mind the precedents which are afforded by Section 12 of the Truck Act, 1887, and by Section 141 of the Factory and Workshop Act, 1901. D.—PoweErs oF Loca AUTHORITIES TO PREVENT THE SALE OF SUSPECTED FOODS PENDING ANALYSIS. 181. We think that the powers which Medical Officers of Health at present possess under the Public Health Acts to obtain the con- demnation of unsound or unwholesome articles of food should be extended. Where the Medical Officer of Health has good reason for believing that particular articles of food or ingredients of food have caused, or are liable to cause, injury to health, but is of opinion that analysis of samples is necessary before the facts can be fully established, powers should be given to lay an embargo on the sale of the suspected articles or on the use of the suspected ingredients, pending their official examination. The grant of these powers should be accom- panied by the requirement that a Justice’s order should be obtained, or by other provisions which are adequate to prevent their being used unnecessarily or improperly. 4576 (t+