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1926] 64
ADULTERATION OF FOOD AND DRUGS.
During the year 1,244 samples of foods and drugs, including 13 informal
samples, were submitted for analysis by Mr. Green, the Food and Drugs
Inspector, who purchased the samples for submission to our Analyst, Mr. A.
Pinchin, B.Sc. Of the total samples 1,198 were reported to be genuine and 46
adulterated, or 3.7 per cent. This percentage is 6.6 lower than in the previous
year, and 4.1 per cent. below the average rate during the preceding 10 years.
During the year 1926, in addition to the official samples taken and submitted
to the Public Analyst, there was a total of 342 informal samples which were
either submitted to the Public Analyst or examined by the Food and Drugs
Inspector. These informal samples comprised about two dozen varied articles.
As the result of these examinations, official samples were in many cases afterwards
taken. The taking of informal samples is necessary to enable the purchase
of samples to be concentrated on, such articles as are likely to be adulterated, and
also to enable us to pick out the persons who are likely to be contravening the
law; otherwise, if samples were only taken haphazard, a lot of analyses might
be undertaken needlessly. When informal samples are taken the usual procedure
to divide up the sample and leave a portion with the vendor is not gone through,
and therefore the delinquent, if there be one, is not aware that he is being tested.
Arsenic in Apples.—Early in the year our attention was kindly called by a
firm in an adjacent Borough who possessed chemical experts, to the sale of apples
at a particular shop in the Borough of Islington. Upon analysis of an informal
sample of apples purchased, the Analyst reported that arsenious oxide 1/70 grain
per lb. was found, but this was confined to a small portion of the skin surrounding
the stalk and calyx. In the bulk of the apple including the rest of the skin and
core, arsenic could not be detected.
An investigation was made to find out what shops were selling this particular
kind of apple, and a warning ietter was also sent to these asking them to at once
assure us that they were taking every possible means to eliminate arsenical apples
from their stock, and in future that they would avoid any recurrence.

Prosecutions—25 summonses were issued under the "Sale of Food and
Drugs Acts," of which 24 were successfully prosecuted. Altogether penalties and
costs to the amount of £60 16s. 6d. were obtained. Two prosecutions were also