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187
Chocolate.—Four samples of Cake Chocolate were purchased
and examined, and of these two were reported as adulterated.
Genuine Cake Chocolate consists of a mixture of Cocoa Nib
(containing its full proportion of fat), cane sugar, and usually a trace
of flavouring material such as vanilla, &c. If sold as milk
chocolate a distinct proportion of milk solids should be present.
One of the adulterated samples was sold as "milk chocolate" and
the other as "nut chocolate." Upon analysis it was found that the first
of these consisted of sugar, arrowroot starch and cocoa shell
containing only a minute proportion, if any, of nib, whilst the fat
present was derived almost entirely from a source other than the
cocoa bean. No evidence of the presence of any milk solids could
be obtained.
In the case of the other sample the material in which the nuts
were embedded had a similar composition. Taking into consideration
the large amount of ordinary cake chocolate and milk
chocolate now consumed, this form of "chocolate" must be a source
of considerable profit to manufacturers since the price of cocoa shell
is only a fraction of the cost of cocoa nib.
Prosecutions were instituted last year by the City of Westminster
in similar cases and the vendors convicted and fined.
It would appear that the substitution of cocoa shell for
cocoa nib is now spreading from chocolate to ordinary cocoa powder.
In February a sample purchased by Inspector Oatley as cocoa was
found to consist of 38 per cent. of sugar, 30 per cent. of sago starch,
and 32 per cent. of cocoa shell. It may be mentioned that the
latter substance is the outer coating of the cocoa beans, and when
removed the latter break down into angular pieces known as nibs.
The shell or husk contains only half the nitrogen found in the nonfatty
portion of the nib whilst the fat present is only about 2.5 per
cent. as compared with at least 50 per cent. in the nib. In the case
of this particular sample a prosecution was instituted and the
vendoer convicted and fined.
In addition to the articles taken under the Sale
of Food and Drugs Acts, I have examined one sample
of Carbolic Powder and one of Carbolic Soap submitted
by the Borough Surveyor, and one sample of
Turbine Deposit from the Borough Engineer.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
P. A. ELLIS RICHARDS.
April, 1909. Public Analyst.