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75
The form of adulteration in these samples was found to be
the presence of foreign fat, varying from a minimum of 45 per
cent. to a maximum of 79 per cent., viz.:—45, 50, 53, 60, 70,
75, 78, 79.
Sausages.
Twenty-six samples of sausages were taken and submitted to
the Public Analyst. Of these 26 samples, 13 (i.e., 50 per cent.)
were reported by the Analyst to contain added preservative (boric
acid) in varying proportions from 6'195 grains per pound to 30.24
grains per pound. (Vide Legal Proceedings, page 88.)
Other Articles.
Cream, 18 (of which 17 were adulterated with boric acid,
varying from 13'51 grains per pound to 44'38 grains per pound);
preserved meats, 17 (of which 7 were adulterated with boric acid,
varying from 5.82 grains per pound to 30'24 grains per pound);
rice, 10 (all of which were adulterated by the process known as
"facing," which is done with talc powder, so as to give the rice
grain a lustrous appearance); whisky, 9 (of which 1 was 25.99
degrees under proof); cheese, 6; cocoa, 18; coffee, 24; flour, 4;
gin, 2; honey, 5; lard, 12; margarine, 6; milk of sulphur, 4;
mustard, 4; oatmeal, 3; olive oil, 9; pepper, 4; rum, 3; tartaric
acid, 4 ; vinegar, 12.
" Facing " of Rice.
The practice of treating rice so as to improve its appearance,
technically known as "facing," was referred to, and the process
described in the Annual Report for 1912, when the Medical Officer
of Health was instructed to call the attention of traders in the
Borough to the danger to health which may arise from this
practice. Samples of rice taken during 1913 and submitted to
the Public Analyst, were reported by him to be adulterated with
adventitious mineral matter to a slight Extent. The Health
Committee did not consider it desirable to prosecute the vendors
of these samples, and instructed the Town Clerk to send the
following letter to them :—
6th December, 1913.
Dear ,
It has been reported to the Council that a sample of rice
purchased from you recently by the Council's Inspector was
found, on analysis, to be adulterated to a small extent with
extraneous mineral matter.