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47
Appendix I.
REPORT OF THE PUBLIC ANALYST ON THE
ANALYTICAL WORK OF THE YEAR.
Analytical Laboratory,
Town Hall, Haddington, W.
January, 1917.
A resume of the analytical work of the year 1916 may be of
interest. The total number of samples analysed was 506. These comprised
Milk 213, Butter 90, Lard 48, Margarine IS, Coffee 47, Cream
13, Cocoa 44, Cheese 16 and General Groceries, 17.
Six samples of Milk, or per cent, were found to be adulterated ;
strange to say, no watered samples were discovered, in all cases these
were deficient in cream.
Only 1 sample of butter amongst the 90 was found to be defective
and that had only an excess of water of 1 per cent. Of the 44
samples of cocoa, 3 contained sago-starch and sugar. Of the 13 samples
of cream 1 had been preserved with Boric Acid without due notice.
Taking all the samples together only 2-l were adulterated.
This is, I believe, a purity unmatched by any other Borough taking as
many samples. It excels the average of the previous year at Hampstead
when 7-7 per cent, of the samples were adulterated. As food gets
scarcer and dearer the temptation to adulterate it will, I fear, get
greater.
I have the honour to remain,
Yours obediently,
ALF. W. STOKES,
Public Analyst.