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52
The percentage of milk adulteration compares favourably with that occurring
in 1918, when the percentage of adulterated milk samples stood at 157. This year
the percentage works out at 6.8 on all the milk samples submitted.
The degree of sophistication of milk varied between 28 per cent. and 4 per cent.
One milk prosecution was instituted, but the defendant escaped on proving warranty,
although there were previous convictions against him.
Two other vendors were not proceeded against as they had both been supplied
on the same day with milk showing practically the same amount of adulteration
by a roundsman who absconded.
A trace of formalin was found in an informal milk sample purchased at a
Dairy. This is a unique offence, there being no record of any such misdemeanour
having occurred in the City of London. Another sample was at once obtained at
the shop, but this was found to be free from any preservative.
The high percentage of butter adulteration is again maintained, being
attributable to the fact that the whole of the cases of substitution occurred where
bread and butter was asked for and margarine supplied without disclosure being
made to the purchaser.
There was no case of butter adulteration where the substance was purchased
in bulk at a shop.
Cautions were in the majority of cases administered to first offenders.
Six vendors who disregarded 1he cautions and were found to be still carrying
on the same practice were proceeded against and all of them fined by the Justices,
the amount of fines varying from £10 and £1 Is. 0d. costs to £1 and £1 1s. 0d.
costs.
DRUGS.—The percentage of formal drug samples shows the figure of 833,
which would be serious, were it not for the fact that 91 samples of drugs had been
procured and the knowledge of sophistication discovered thereby led to the success
attending the taking of the formal samples, five out of six of which were reported
against by the Public Analyst. All of these samples were Calomel Ointment.
In three instances proceedings were instituted and the vendors fined £2 and £2 2s. 0d.
costs, £10 and £3 3s. 0d. costs, and £10 and £3 3.s. 0d. costs respectively. In one
case a satisfactory explanation was given, and in the other a caution was administered.
MARGARINE.—The cases of infringements of the Margarine Act were
instances where bread spread with margarine was found to contain a greater
proportion of butter than 10 per cent.
DEFENCE OF THE REALM ACT.—The following samples, although not
taken under the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts, have a bearing thereon, and are,
therefore, included in this report. 60 samples of spirits were purchased at various
Licensed premises in order to ascertain the strength at which the spirits were
retailed, and also to discover if the charges were in excess of the proper control
prices. As a result seven prosecutions were instituted and fines amounting to £63
inflicted in addition to £12 12s. 0d. obtained for costs (see detailed list).
PROFITEERING ACT.—A case of profiteering being noticed in regard to
a sample of Lime Water purchased in the ordinary course of Food and Drug
sampling, the attention of the Profiteering Committee was drawn to the matter,
with the result that the offender was ordered to refund the sum of 8d. overcharge,
and was also fined £5 and £2 2s. 0d. costs on his appearing before the Rt. Hon.
The Lord Mayor to answer to the charge.
SALE OF FOOD AND DRUGS ACTS, 1875-1907.