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373 samples of milk were taken during 1902, and of these, 324 were genuine, and 49, or
13% adulterated to such an extent as to require prosecution. The commonest adulteration of
milk consists in the addition of water or the abstraction of cream. Of the 324 genuine samples,
234 were just up to or a little above the minimum standard required by the Board of Agriculture.
The following shows the statements of the Public Analyst regarding the remaining 90 genuine
samples:—
Genuine, good quality 33 samples
„ rich in fat 25 „
„ of rich quality 6 „
„ of poor quality 16 „
„ of very poor quality 10 „
In the 26 marked " poor " and "very poor " the milk was barely up to, or in some cases slightly
below the standard, but not sufficient to demand prosecution. From these figures it is evident
that only 64 out of 373 samples of milk taken can be considered of good quality such as one would
expect from healthycows in the country milked at proper intervals, the remaining 260 having
the quality of the minimum standard. The minimum standard of the Board of Agriculture,
viz., 3 per cent, fat and 8.5 per cent, solids, is the very lowest quality which can be supposed to
be genuine, and has been arrived at by an analysis of an immense number of samples, the average
of the poorest milks being taken as the minimum. This is done so as to avoid a possible
injustice to any milk vendor who sells a poor quality milk. It is very evident, however, it allows
an large amount of adulteration to take place which cannot be touched by the law in its present
I am of opinion that this standard could be raised without doing any injury to the
industry, and a great deal of good to consumers.
It is the custom now for the retailer to protect himself behind a warranty, and we
certainly require some legislation which will enable authorities to go behind this-trace the
milk back, and punish the original offender.
About 50 per cent, of the poor people in Bermondsey use cow's milk, the remainder using
condensed milk. Of those using the latter I am safe in saying that 90 per cent, use condensed
skim milk of the very cheapest brand, ranging from 2d. to 2½d. a tin, as against 5½d, for the
better brands. The whole milk supply of the poor requires investigation, and any legislation
which would improve the quality of cows' milk and prohibit the importation of condensed
milk, and the sale of fresh skim milk, would be a great boon to them and the health of the
community at large.
Of the other articles of food which are adulterated, butter comes next highest, but none ot
them hold the important place of milk, since during the first year of life it should form the
staple food.
Food Inspection.
This is a very important part of an Inspector's duty in the Borough of Bermondse y.
There is an enormous amount of food manufactured here, and also coming into the district
through the wharves and railway companies. It is difficult to give an estimate of the amount of
food manufactured, but the following figures, compiled for a recent inquiry of the Local
Government Board, give some idea as to the amount - coming through the Port of London:—
Food Landed in Bermondsey.—l902.
Tons.
(1) Meat 3,982
(2) Tinned foods 13,256
(3) Dried food products 159,892
(4) Fresh or perishable food 112,313
(5) Grain and flour 530,703
Total 820,146 tons
In the summer, when the fruit comes in, it would take practically one inspector to be
constantly going round visiting the jam factories. It has always been most efficiently done by
the Chief Inspector, but the other inspectors have instructions to visit all places where food is
prepared, landed or stored. The advisability of appointing a special food inspector, especially for
wharves, will probably have to be considered later by the Council especially if the Local Government
Board do not make the proposed Order transferring the inspection of foodstuffs at wharves
and riverside places from the Borough Council to the Port Sanitary Authority.
The following is a list of the food destroyed, by consent of the owner, The 368
tons of grain was not really destroyed but was dried here and allowed to proceed to the country
on a written understanding that it was only to be used for the food of animals. Notice from the
Medical Officer of the Port of London was received in all cases in connection with this grain.
Food Destroyed, 1902.
88 tubs of Butter.
20 lbs. Cocoa Beans.
5 tubs of Lard.
77½ lbs. Hams.
159 sacks, 40 bags, 16 casks of Potatoes.
8 cases of Condensed Milk.
173½ cases of Eggs,
1 box of Roe.
692 crates of Bananas.
1 box of Plaice.
14 cwt., 212 cases, 28 tina of Tinned Fruit.
1 bag of Whelks.
70 bags of Currants.
1½ bushel of Apples.
368 tons of Grain.
1 case Rabbits.
49 Cheeses.
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