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Consecutire Sampling.—Pending the repeal of the Warranty Sections of the
Sale of Food and Drugs Acts, the Food Inspectors when sampling always
inquire whether a warranty in any form is held by the vendor, and if there
be a warranty, and the sample prove to be adulterated, take a sample of the
milk of the guarantor upon delivery at the vendor's premises. Unfortunately
the second sample is not a sample of the inculpated milk, but it may in some
measure be evidence of the bona or male fides of the guarantor.
Warranties.—For years past Local Authorities have made repeated representations
to the Local Government Board and the Board of Agriculture
against the use of warranties relating to milk, which experience has shown to
be capable of being largely used for the perversion of justice. The President
of the Local Government Board introduced into the House of Commons on the
25th May, 1909, a Milk and Dairies Bill, Clause 7 of which runs:—"A warranty
or invoice shall not be available as a defence to any proceedings under
the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts, 1875 to 1907, where the article in respect of
which the proceedings are taken is milk." In these circumstances it is
unnecessary to quote further instances of the many possibilities warranties afford
for adulterating milk with impunity.
Preservatives in Food.—Samples of cream were taken by the Inspectors,
and in five cases the amount of boric acid present was sufficient to warrant
legal proceedings being taken, the amount of preservative varying from
0.19 per cent. to 0.41 per cent. The summonses were heard at the Marylebone