View report page

Food and Drugs (Adulteration) Act, 1928.
During the year under review 1,028 samples were submitted for
analysis. Of this number 942 were formal, and 86 informal samples.
These samples are set out in table "A" and those not complying
with requirements, are shown in table "B".
In the latter table, the action that the Public Health Committee
directed should be taken in cases where infringements occurred is
also shown, together with the result of legal proceedings instituted.
These tables are compiled in the form suggested by the Ministry
of Health memorandum No. 36, dated January 1929, on procedure
under the Pood and Drugs Act.
The practice, as in former years, of sending cards to the vendors
of samples reported as genuine, was carried out. The cards so sent
numbered 621.
Milk. In the course of the year 561 formal samples (including
one separated milk) were chemically examined. Of this number
8 failed to comply with the requirements of the Sale of Milk Regulations,
1901, giving a percentage of adulteration of 1.42.
In six of these instances, failure to comply with requirements
was due to the "abstraction" of fat. Three of these samples were
sold from bottles, and three from counter pans. The remaining two
samples, which were sold from counter pans, were adulterated by the
addition of water.
Of the 11 informal samples, two were adulterated by the
addition of water, one being sold in a bottle, and the other from a
counter pan.
Under sections 21 and 29, and the 2nd schedule of the above
Act, it is provided that a retailer, from whom a sample of milk has
been taken, may within 60 hours from the time of taking such sample,
request the Local Authority to take a sample of milk, in the course of
delivery, from the wholesale suppliers.
If the purveyor fails to avail himself of this provision, and in
the event of his sample being other than genuine, he would be
precluded from using a warranty, as a defence, in any proceedings.
Three purveyors availed themselves of these provisions, but as
their samples were certified as genuine, they were forthwith informed
that under the circumstances, the necessity to take samples in the
course of delivery did not arise.
Artificial Cream Act, 1929.
No application for registration for the manufacture and sale of
artificial cream was received during the year under review.