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declaration had been made by label or notice, and in each case the vendors were cautioned
and the requirements of the regulations brought to their notice.
Ice Cream.—The consumption of this important commodity has greatly increased
during the past few years, and it is to be regretted that no legal definition or standard of
quality exists for ice cream.
Analyses of the 28 samples taken in the City showed a very wide range in the percentage
fat content, which bore little relationship with the prices charged. Thirteen of the samples,
purchased at restaurants, had a fat content of 8 per cent, or more, ranging from 8.5 per cent.
to 24.4 per cent., with an average of 13.5 per cent. Fifteen samples, taken principally
from itinerant vendors, had a fat content ranging from 0.6 per cent. to 4.6 per cent., with
an average of 2.6 per cent.
It may reasonably be submitted that ice cream should have a milk fat content of at
least 8 per cent., and consist only of butter fat, milk solids-not-fat, sugar, gelatine and water.
Mixtures which principally consist of milk, sugar, cornflour, eggs, etc., should not be permitted
to be sold as ice cream, but under an appropriate designation such as Ice or Ice Custard.
Spirits.—Twenty-seven samples of spirits were purchased formally and, with one
exception, found to be above the standard of 35 degrees under proof. Legal proceedings
were taken and a conviction obtained against a licensed victualler in connection with the
sale of a sample of rum. A fine of £10, with £3 3s. 0d. Costs, was imposed after proof of
a previous conviction.
Non-Alcoholic Wines.—Eleven samples were taken and 2 were found to contain salicylic
acid, a preservative the use of which is prohibited by the Public Health (Preservatives, etc.,
in Food) Regulations, and one which the Public Analyst states he has not found in any
article of food for some years past. Enquiries revealed that the bottles were of very old
stock and had been supplied by the wholesaler or manufacturer prior to the Preservative
Regulations coming into operation. Permission was given to the retailers to withdraw
the unsold stock from sale.
Drugs.—Of the 120 samples of drugs taken, 9 were reported against as not complying
with the requirements of the British Pharmacopoeia or not being in accordance with the
formula on the container. Legal proceedings were instituted and fines imposed in two
instances, and in the other cases, where the discrepancy or deficiency was small, the vendors
were communicated with.
EXAMINATION OF MILK.
Chemical.—Eleven of the 165 samples of milk which were taken formally were certified
to be below the standards which presume adulteration, equivalent to a percentage figure
of 6.6, as compared with 7.2 in 1932. In most cases the deficiency was small, and further
samples were taken which were certified to be genuine. The low fat figure was probably
due to the absence of, or neglect to use, a proper plunger, in order to keep the milk constituents
uniform. In such cases the attention of the vendors or consignors was directed to the necessity
of taking precautions to see that the milk was sold in the same state as when it was
received. Fifty-five of the samples were purchased from milk roundsmen in the streets.
The only case of legal action was in reference to a sample purchased from a milk roundsman
and certified to contain 7.2 per cent. of extraneous water. The vendor was fined £4, with
£1 0s. 6d. Costs.