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329
FOOD AND DRUGS.
Under the Sale of Food and Drugs Act, 177 samples of food
and drugs were taken and analysed. The results are shown in
Table V.
Fourteen of the samples purchased in the Borough in 1919 were
not satisfactory ; and, therefore, the percentage of non-genuine
samples amounted to 8 per cent., as compared with 91 per cent.
for the preceding year. This is below the figure for London
as a whole.
17 per cent. of the 77 Milk samples were unsatisfactory, as
against 20 per cent. during the preceding year ; but in some cases
the deficiency below the legal limits was very slight.
In London the percentage of Milk samples reported against
was about 10 during 1918.
It should be added that many of the samples purchased were
below the quality of the average milk supply of London, although
they were a trifle above the low legal limits which have been fixed.
All the samples of Milk, Butter and Margarine were tested
for antiseptics, with the result that no sample of Milk, 4 of
Butter, and all the samples of Margarine were found to contain them.
In no case was the amount sufficient to warrant a prosecution,
and in each case boric acid was found; but in one or two
instances the vendors were cautioned.
Seven informal samples have been taken during the year.
The informal samples collected did not lead to the detection of
adulteration.
Twelve samples of milk were purchased on two Sunday
mornings.