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111
Analytical Laboratory,
Town Hall, Paddington, W.
19th January, 1908.
A short summary of the year's work may be of interest.
A total of 508 samples was analysed, comprising—Milk 331,
Butter 63, Cheese 15, Margarine 13, Lard 11, Groceries 36,
Drugs 17, Sweets 5, Prepared Meats 10, Beer 3, Spirits 2 and
Lemon Squash 2. Amongst all of these only 11 samples of Milk,
2 of Butter, 3 of the Prepared Meats, 1 of the Groceries and 1 of
the Drugs proved to be adulterated. Boric Acid was present in
3 samples of Tripe amongst the prepared Meats ; of the 15 samples
of Coffee in the Groceries only 1 was found to contain chicory,
while the only unsatisfactory drug was 1 distilled water. Comparing
the adulteration in 1907 with that of this year we find
that though 100 more samples were taken this year than in the
previous year the total adulteration is less, being only 3½ per cent.
as contrasted with 8½ per cent. in 1907. Milk shows 3.3 per cent. of
adulterated samples this year as against 7.6 in 1907. Butter has
3.2 per cent. of adulterated samples, while the year 1907 had
slightly less, 2.2 per cent.
Thirty per cent. of the prepared meats were this year preserved
by Boric Acid; last year the number reached 62 percent. It is
very satisfactory to find the food so pure at Hampstead: generally
throughout London three times as much adulteration is found.
ALF. W. STOKES, F.C.S., F.I.C.,
Public Analyst.