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3. Extraneous water and fat deficiency (3), viz. : 4.2 and 15.6,
7.3 and 11.51, 13.17 and 10.7.
4. Addition of boric acid (2), 2.01 and 5.73 grains per pint.
5. Separated milk (4), extraneous water 2.1, 4.2, 17, 23.
Of the total number of samples taken during the year under
report, 527 were taken on week days and 102 on Sundays. Samples
were taken on nineteen Sundays in the year. Of the 527
week-day samples 43 (i.e., 81 per cent.) were found to be
adulterated, while out of 102 samples taken on Sundays 10 (i.e.,
10 7 per cent.) were adulterated. Although the percentage of
adulteration in samples taken on Sundays was slightly higher than
in the case of week-day samples, since the practice of Sunday
sampling has been carried out by the Council there has been a
very marked decrease in the percentage of adulterated samples.
A large firm of wholesale milk, separated milk and butter
dealers in the Borough were prosecuted by the Council for selling
separated milk containing 23 per cent. and 18 per cent. of added
water. The Food Inspector purchased on March 3rd a sample of
"separated milk" from a local retail dealer, which, on analysis,
was reported to be adulterated. This man obtained his supply
from the firm in question, and he stated to the Inspector that he
had sold the milk in the same state as he received it. The Inspector
accordingly made arrangements to take samples in course of
delivery, and on Sunday morning, March 28th, he took two samples
from six churns of separated milk, which were being delivered
to this retailer. Both samples were reported to be adulterated
to the extent mentioned. The magistrate convicted the wholesale
firm, inflicting a fine of £2 and £1 5s. costs. The summons
against the retailer was withdrawn.
This case is of interest as showing the extent of the business
in separated milk carried on in Battersea, especially on Sundays,
there being a ready sale of this article of food for pudding-making,
a small retail dealer being able to dispose of the large quantity of
six churns on his round on one day—and the ridiculously inadequate
fines inflicted.
A case of some interest as indicating the need of constant
watchfulness to protect the milk supply from the fraudulent
practices of dishonest milk vendors was that in which a milk
vendor in the Borough was prosecuted for selling milk adulterated
with 18 per cent. of added water. This man was kept under
observation by the Food Inspector, who noticed that in the course
of his round he and his employees always carried a hand-can