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178
in the number of samples taken under the Acts is that a further increase
is needed, and must of necessity be followed by gven better
results.
Milk.
Of the total number of samples purchased during 1908, 693
(i.e., 69.3 per cent.) were milk samples. Of this number, 74
(i.e., 10.7 per cent.) were reported by the Analyst to be adulterated.
During 1907, 853 of the total samples purchased referred to milk,
82 (i.e., 9.6 per cent.) of which were reported to be adulterated.
The number of milk samples taken in 1908, it will be noted,
is not quite so large as in 1907. The necessity, however, of
taking a large proportion of milk samples is obvious, having
regard to the fact that it forms the staple article of diet for infants
and invalids, and, moreover, is probably by far the most frequently
adulterated article of food. This fact has been fully
recognised in connection with the administration of the Acts in
Battersea, and approximately two-thirds of the total number of
samples taken during 1908 were milk samples.
The nature of the adulteration in the 74 adulterated samples
of milk were as follows : —
(1) Extraneous water (44), varying from a minimum of 1.5 per
cent, to a maximum of 18.5 per cent., viz., 1.5, 1.5,
2, 2, 2, 2.5, 3, 3, 4, 4.5, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6.4, 7, 7.5,
9, 9.5, 10, 10.4, 10.5, 11, 11, 11.5, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18.
(2) Deficiency in milk fat (16), varying from a minimum of
2 per cent, to a maximum of 67 per cent., viz., 2, 3, 4,
6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 12.6, 14, 18, 23, 25, 56, 67.
(3) Extraneous water and fat deficiency (3), viz., 3 and 8.5,
7.5 and 10.5, 8.5 and 9.5.
(4) Added preservatives (5), viz., grains per pint boric acid:
1.389, 1.43, 1.85, 2.076, 3.51.
(5) Skimmed milk (7—4 genuine, 3 adulterated), viz., 4, 4 and
2 per cent, of extraneous water (no proceedings in
latter case) ; fines and costs amounting to £1 12s. 6d. ;
in the other case defendant absconded.