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40
Fruit Syrup.
A sample of fruit syrup was found to contain some salicylic acid. In this
case there was no disclosure on the label, and communications were therefore
addressed to the vendors; from the reply received it appeared that the absence
of a declaration that the syrup was preserved with salicylic acid was due to error.
Lemon Curd.
A sample of lemon curd used in the preparation of lemon cheese cakes was
found to contain a small quantity of boric acid. Enquiry of the vendors elicited
the information that in the preparation of the lemon curd liquid egg was not used;
the only ingredient which appeared likely to contain preservative was margarine
and a suggestion was therefore made to the vendors that butter or margarine
without preservative should be used in future.
Milk.
One hundred and ninety-three samples of milk were examined of which five
were reported as not genuine. In one case the sample was deficient in fat to
the extent of only 2 per cent., and no action was taken; in four cases proceedings
were instituted with the following results:—
(a) Defendant discharged on payment of 12s. 6d. costs.
(b) Warranty pleaded, summons dismissed on payment of 12s. 6d. costs.
(c) Summons withdrawn on payment of 21s. costs.
(d) Defendant ordered to pay 21s. costs.
Sausages.
Three out of six samples of sausages examined were found to contain boric
acid; in one case the quantity of preservative was equal to 18.2 grains per pound.
Sausage Rolls.
The two samples of sausage roll examined contained preservative, but
the amount was too small to justify any proceedings pending the Regulations as
to preservatives becoming operative.
Swiss Roll.
One of the two samples of Swiss roll purchased was found to contain preservative,
but having regard to the arrangements made by the Ministry of Health with
the Bakers Allied Traders' Association, it was considered inadvisable to institute
legal proceedings. Letters were, however, sent to the retailers and the makers of the
roll drawing attention to the recognised objection to this preservative especially
in the case of sponge calces and expressing the hope that its use in articles of
food made with sponge mixture would be discontinued; subsequently a
communication was received from the vendor in the following terms:—