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188
With regard to these samples proceedings were taken in
respect to 5 of the 9 adulterated samples ; in the remaining 4 the
adulteration was not large enough to warrant proceedings being
taken.
The result of proceedings taken in respect of these 5 adulterated
samples was that convictions were obtained in all of them,
and fines and costs amounting to £24 8s. 6d. imposed.
In two of these cases the penalty inflicted by the Magistrate
(Mr. Hopkins) was £10 (and 12s. 6d. and 14s. 6d. costs) in each
case. The learned Magistrate, in giving his decision, laid particular
stress on the danger of eating sausages containing this
drug, which, he justly pointed out, by delaying the action of putrefaction,
prevented the meat from betraying its character, or, as
he felicitously phrased it, becoming "wholesomely bad." The
other cases came before a different Magistrate (Mr. de Grey), who
convicted in each of three cases, inflicting fines and costs amounting
to £3 6s. 6d.
The Health Committee had under consideration the question
of preservatives in sausages in the early part of the year, and the
Committee resolved in future to take proceedings in all cases in
which preservatives were found on analysis to be present in this
article of food. The Medical Officer of Health was instructed to
issue a notice to all sausage manufacturers and vendors of
sausages throughout the Borough giving notice of the decision of
the Committee.
The following circular letter was accordingly sent to all
owners of premises in the Borough in which sausages are either
manufactured or retailed: —
Public Health Department,
Municipal Buildings,
Battersea, S.W.,
September 8, 1908
Dear Sir (or Madam),
The Health Committee of the Borough Council have had
under consideration the question of the use of boric acid and
other preservatives In sausages, and they are satisfied that
the use of such preservatives is unnecessary, and may be
injurious to health.