View report page

52
action taken should be given on the same lines as that asked for above
with regard to adulterated samples.
7. The Ministry would also be glad to be informed of all cases in
which samples have been submitted to the Public Analyst, or any other
action has been taken with regard to the composition of description of
food, otherwise than under the legal provisions referred to in paragraph 1
of this Memorandum (e.g., under the Public Health Acts, the Bread
Acts or the Merchandise Marks Acts).
8. The Ministry should be furnished with copies of any annual or
special reports made to the Authority by the Public Analyst on the
general working and administration of the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts
and similar matters, or the results of special investigations as to
particular foods. The Ministry should also be supplied with a copy of
any reports on like matters which may be made by the Medical Officer
of Health or any other officer of the Authority. They would be glad
to receive such copies as soon as the reports have been submitted to
the Authority.
9. In many instances information is given by Public Analysts showing
the composition of each sample of milk analysed. This information
is valuable, and where it is available the Ministry desire to receive
a copy.
III.—Appointment of Public Analysts.
10. When the appointment of a Public Analyst is submitted for the
Minister's approval, particulars of the appointment should be given on
the official form.
11. If the person appointed does not already hold an appointment as
Public Analyst it is necessary for him to provide satisfactory documentary
evidence of competence in analytical chemistry, therapeutics and
microscopy.
12. The Minister will ordinarily accept as sufficient evidence of competence
in all three subjects the diploma of Fellowship or Associateship
of the Institute of Chemistry of Great Britain and Ireland, together
with a certificate granted by the Institute after an examination conducted
by them, in the Chemistry (including microscopy) of Food and
Drugs and Water.
13. Where a registered medical practitioner is appointed as a public
analyst his medical diploma is ordinarily accepted as sufficient evidence
of competence in therapeutics and microscopy, but he is required to
furnish evidence of competence in analytical chemistry.
14. Where a candidate for the office of Public Analyst does not
possess the specific evidences of competence mentioned above, it is
necessary for him to produce documentary evidence that he has attained
an equivalent standard of competence in each of the three specified
subjects. A personal testimonial is of no value as evidence of competence
unless it is given by a person who is himself a recognised expert
of high standing in the subjects in question end testifies to his personal
knowledge of the proficiency of the candidate in these subjects.
IV.—Collection and Disposal of Samples.
15. The quantity of any article purchased should be sufficient to enable
a satisfactory analysis to be made of each of the three portions into
which the sample is divided, but should not be so large as to attract
special attention. In any case of doubt the Public Analyst should be
consulted as to the quantity required.
16. The three portions should be made as nearly equal as possible.
17. Tn the case of such an article as milk care should be taken to
secure an even distribution of the constituent parts of the sample before