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It is interesting to note that the average fat content of Kensington samples exceeded the
Ministry of Agriculture standard by over 20 per cent. or, in other words, the samples would have
been returned as genuine by the Public Analyst even though about 20 per cent. of the fat might
have been removed by a fraudulent vendor.
The table shows that the average fat and non-fatty solid content for each month of the
year is well above the legal standard and makes it clear that suspicion should fall on every
sample which at any time of the year shows a fat content as low as 3 per cent.
Cream Regulations.— The Public Health (Milk and Cream) Regulations, 1912, made by
Local Government Board in pursuance of the powers conferred by Section 1 of the Public Health
(Regulations as to Food) Act, 1907, came into force on October 1st, 1912. They prohibit absolutely
the presence of any kind of preservative in milk or in cream containing less than 35 per cent. of
milk fat, and the addition of any thickening substance of any kind except sugar to cream. In the
case of cream containing 35 per cent. of fat or more, the effect of the Regulations is to permit the
addition of boric acid, borax or hydrogen peroxide, provided the cream so preserved is sold in
vessels bearing a label with a printed declaration of the percentage of borax or peroxide which has
been used. The addition of any other kind of preservative is prohibited.
These Regulations were amended by the Public Health (Milk and Cream) Regulations, 1917,
so as to limit the boric acid and borax which may be added to cream containing 35 per cent. or
more of fat, to an amount not exceeding 0.4 per cent. by weight of the cream. These amending
Regulations also provide that the declaratory label must state that the cream is not suitable for
infants or invalids.
On the ground that the addition of preservatives in any quantity to cream is unnecessary, the
Council have taken no action under these Regulations.
In all cases of milk and cream samples submitted to the Public Analyst, an examination for
preservatives is made, and if any be found, the Public Health Committee consider the question of
instituting proceedings under the Food and Drugs Act, even though in the case of borax or boric
acid in cream the amount found be less than that allowed by the amending Regulations.
Margarine and Butter Substitutes.— Under Section 9 of the Margarine Act, 1887, and
Section 7 (4) of the Sale of Food and Drugs Act, 1899, manufacturers and wholesale dealers in
margarine and margarine cheese are required to register their premises with the local authority.
By Section 1 (1) of the Butter and Margarine Act, 1907, these requirements were extended to
butter factories and to the premises of wholesale dealers in milk-blended butter. The following
premises in the Borough are registered in accordance with the requirements of the above Acts :—
Lipton, Ltd. 210, Portobello Road.
145Brompton Road.
E. C. Nicholls 19, Church Street.
Maypole Dairy Co., Ltd. 196, Portobello Road.
Home and Colonial Stores, Ltd. 136, Portobello Road.
„ „ „ 184, Portobello Road.
„ „„ 20, Chepstow Mansions.
„ ,, „ 71, Notting Hill Gate.
„ „ „ 171, Earl's Court Road.
„ „ „ 98, Golborne Road.
Pearks, Ltd. 76, Golborne Road.
„ 62, Princes Road.
,, 165. Portobello Road.
Sale of Food Order, 1921.—This Order placed upon Local Authorities certain duties in
regard to—
(1) the sale of bread and tea by weight.
(2) the labelling of imported produce,
(3) the composition of jam and marmalade, dripping, margarine, and other edible fats.
The provisions of that part of the Order dealing with the sale of bread and tea by weight are
administered by the London County Council, but the Borough Council are required to enforce
the remaining sections of the Order.
Since this Order was published an Amending Order has been issued, which cancels certain
sections of the original, with the result that the only part now to be enforced by the Borough
Council is that which relates to the labelling of imported produce (lard excepted).
A further Amending Order, dated September 1st, 1922, removes bacon and ham from the list
of imported foods which must not be exposed for sale by retail unless they bear a label containing
the words " Imported" in letters easily readable by customers.
Under the Expiring Laws Continuance Act, 1924, the Order, with the amendments above
indicated, is continued in force until December, 1925.
FOOD POISONING.
No instance of food poisoning was brought to my notice during the year.