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With this reservation I do not anticipate any difficulty in carrying out the
Regulations, as existing arrangements for the collection of and examination of milk
samples under the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts can readily be extended.
Since the Regulations became operative 6 samples have been taken in accordance
with its provisions, and a summary of the results obtained will be found on pages 94-95.
As these Regulations affected a large number of traders in the City of London, a
notice (see Appendix J) drawing their attention to its provisions was delivered to all
dairymen and others dealing in milk or cream within the City precincts.
SALE OF FOOD AND DRUGS ACTS.
During the year 1,234 articles of food were analysed by the Public Analyst under
the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts, 1875 to 1899, this number being made up as follows:—
109 samples were purchased and dealt with without the formalities of the Act being
observed, and 1,125 were taken with the usual procedure. Of the informal samples 6
were found to be deficient, and subequent samples were obtained of the same vendors.
Of the samples purchased formally, 31 were found to be sophisticated, a percentage
of 2.7 per cent.
A summary of the Quarterly Reports of all samples examined by the Public
Analyst, showing both those taken in accordance with the Act and those taken otherwise,
and the percentage of adulteration of each individual article, is given on pages
94 and 95. In ten years the percentage of adulteration has steadily decreased, last
year, with a percentage of 2.5, being the lowest on record for the City of London; this
year a slight rise will be noticed, 3.0 per cent, being the figure for 1912.
The percentage of adulteration of samples taken in England and Wales in 1877
was 16.2; this percentage has been continuously reduced, and at present (that is to say
the latest figures obtainable) the percentage in 1911 stands at 8.7.

*The figures in this column are based on the Imperial night census.