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119
These figures show a decrease in the proportion of adulterated samples
taken at shops and in the streets, and a marked increase amongst those taken
during delivery.
Of the 25 samples reported against by the Public Analyst, the vendors of
19 were proceeded against, and in four of these, or 21 per cent., the cases
were dismissed on proof of warranty. The offence in five cases consisting in
adding water, in 13 in the removal of cream, and one sample, as before
mentioned, was both skimmed and watered. The vendors of six samples
were cautioned.
The penalties imposed upon offenders on conviction varied from £20 and
£3 3s. expenses to s. and 18s. 6d. expenses. One summons was dismissed
upon technical grounds.
At the instance of the Intelligence Division of the Board of Agriculture
and Fisheries, 120 samples of condensed milk (including dried milk) were
taken during 1909 under Section 1 of the Sale of Food and Drugs Act, 1899.
In three cases it was found that the condensed or dried milk had been
prepared from skimmed milk and the packages were not labelled "machineskimmed
milk," or "skimmed milk," as required by the Act. In these cases
proceedings were instituted by the Customs Authorities and convictions
obtained.
Thirty-eight samples of fresh milk were also taken by the same authority,
and one sample of tinned sterilised milk was reported as being deficient in fat.
PRESERVATIVES IN CREAM.
Of recent years the sale of cream in small vessels has greatly extended,
especially during the summer months. By far the larger proportion of this
material contains some boron preservative, the addition of which it is claimed
by the traders is rendered necessary by the exigencies of their business in this
article.
It is unfortunate from a public health point of view that Sec. 6, Sub-sec. 1,
of the Sale of Food and Drugs Act, 1875, sanctions the addition of preservatives
in cream when prepared as an article of commerce, provided that the
preservative is not present in such amount as to render the cream injurious
to health.
A Departmental Committee of the Board of Agriculture appointed in
January, 1901, to enquire into the use of preservatives and colouring matter
in food, recommended in the case of cream "that the only preservative which
"it shall be lawful to use be boric acid or mixtures of boric acid and borax,
"and in amount not exceeding 0.25 per cent. expressed as boric acid."