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181
The first proceedings were taken in June in regard to
samples Nos. 1178, 1184 and 1187. At the first hearing the
defendants' solicitor requested that the samples be referred to
Somerset House for analysis. The cases were consequently
adjourned. The Somerset House certificate confirmed the report
of your analyst.
The magistrate considered the evidence submitted by
your Council and commented strongly upon the decision of the
Departmental Committee on Food Preservatives, which Commission
after hearing evidence upon the subject, decided that
the addition of formic aldehyde to milk was a dangerous practice
and recommended that its use should be absolutely prohibited.
The magistrate inflicted a fine of £5 and £2 12s. 6d.
costs in respect to samples Nos. 1178 and 1187. The summons
in regard to No. 1184 was withdrawn in consequence of the
bursting of the bottle containing the sample which had been
retained by the Inspector.
In two other cases the Inspector demanded samples of
milk from a vendor in respect of whom we had received
complaints. The milk seller evidently recognised the Inspector
and stated that he had no pure milk, only skimmed milk, and
the samples were purchased, note being made of the declaration.
These samples were found to be heavily preserved with formalin.
Proceedings were instituted and the defendant fined.
The addition of formic aldehyde to milk is a most
dangerous practice if only by reason of the hardening effect it
has upon the proteid material, making the digestion of the milk
more difficult. The continued consumption of milk so preserved
might easily lead to gastric and intestinal troubles in infants
fed upon it.
Warranty.—In regard to samples Nos. 1191 and 1251
your Council ordered proceedings. After the summonses were