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78
TINNED PEAS.
21. The informal sample reported as adulterated was found to contain
0.005 per cent, of copper, equivalent to 1.38 grains of crystallised
sulphate of copper per pound of the peas.
22. The "greening" of vegetables by the use of salts of copper is now
prohibited by the new Regulations.
TINNED PINEAPPLE AND HERRING IN TOMATO.
23. The two informal samples reported as adulterated were found to
be contaminated with tin in the amounts as understated:
1. Pineapple 0.0157 per cent., equivalent to 1 099 grains per lb.
2. Herrings 0.0063 „ „ „ 0.441 „
24. The presence of Salts of Tin in canned Foods is due to the solvent
action of the natural acid of the fruit or vegetable upon the tinned surface
of the containing vessel. These Salts are not added directly to the food
material as is the case with Copper Salts, when the latter are used for the
purpose of imparting a bright green colour to peas and other vegetables.
Salts of Tin have an irritant action on the gastro-intestinal tract and their
presence in a food would therefore tend to render such food injurious to
health.
"COFFEE SHAPE."
25. This informal sample showed evidence of metallic contamination
to a very slight extent, but the amount of the sample available was not
sufficient to make it possible to identify the metal. It was reported as
inferior.
CUSTARD POWDER.
26. Under existing circumstances adulteration cannot be certified
with respect to the samples of "Custard Powder" reported as inferior.
27. They all consisted of starch containing a slight amount of colouring
matter, and were practically devoid of egg or other proteid material.
28. At present there is no official or generally recognised definition
respecting the composition of articles sold as "Custard Powder," and
the sale of such preparations appears to have become established as a
Trade Custom; the absence of egg material makes it necessary, however,
to regard such samples as inferior.
COFFEE AND CHICORY MIXTURE.
29. The four samples submitted were all certified to be genuine.
They contained the following percentages of Chicory—35, 32, 30 and
26.8, the descriptions applied to the articles were therefore justified.
LARD.
30. Actual adulteration could not be certified with respect to the sample
of Lard reported as inferior.