View report page

329
[1911
Thirty-four samples were re-purchased and submitted to the Public Analyst
n the usual manner, who reported 30 for prosecution—3 samples of milk
as containing 4 per cent, of added water, and one milk sample as genuine.
Of the thirty prosecutions which followed, 29 were successful, and one
summons was dismissed, a defence of warranty having been successfully pleaded.
It will thus be seen that the informal sampling work was directly
responsible for 41.6 per cent. of the total prosecutions under the Sale of Food
and Drugs Acts for the year, while the fines resulting from the same amounted
to £97 6s. 6d.
The several foods examined were as follows:—
Milk.—I have carefully followed your instructions and given this most
important food special attention, having during the year tested 424 samples.
Of this number 29, or 6.6 per cent., were adulterated; not including samples
adulterated to an extent less than 4 per cent.
As in previous years, the greater portion of the samples were purchased
at milkshops or dairies, but in the case of two prosecutions against milkmen
suspected of selling adulterated milk, but whose methods had defeated the
ordinary system of purchase, their conviction was secured by testing samples
procured by their private customers.
Coffee.— Seventy-two samples of coffee were examined, of which number
58 were found to be genuine ; 10 were sold with printed declarations that the
contents of the packets consisted of chicory and coffee, and 4, or 5.5 per cent.
were adulterated.
Butter.—The butter samples were for the most part purchased from those
dealers against whom there had been previous convictions. Of the 119
samples tested, 88 were genuine, and 31, or 26 per cent., were found to be
adulterated.
The high percentage of adulteration is partly accounted for by the fact
that in several instances, in order to make quite certain of the final result, the
agent purchased samples over a course of several days. It is also in part due
to having made use of quite young children from the street as agents for
purchasing some of the test samples.