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have died soon after the ripening process had commenced; otherwise
the ripening would have proceeded in such a manner that the cheese
would have been obviously faulty. If anything had been added to the
cheese after it had been properly ripened, it would either show itself by
careful examination, or, more probably, the victim would have eaten
the part affected and left no trace to help the analyst.
CITRUS FRUIT POWDERS.
A sample of Orangeade powder and Lemon Barley powder were both
reported as adulterated, as they contained tartaric acid instead of citric
acid, the acid natural to citrus fruits. It does not appear to be fully
appreciated that there is a distinct difference in the physiological action
of citric and tartaric acids, and that it is largely on account of this
difference that lemons have been used so largely in illness.
CLOVES.
A sample of cloves was returned as being of inferior quality. The
buds were small and shrivelled, having been picked before they were
properly developed.
COFFEE AND COFFEE AND CHICORY.
All samples examined were correctly described.
CREAM.
It is unfortunate that the only legal definition of cream is that it is
that portion of milk rich in fat which has been separated by skimming
or separating. Most of the samples examined contained from 45-51%
of milk fat; whereas the tinned cream merely contained from 23-26%
of fat. As tinned cream is homogenized to thicken it before it is
sterilized, the public is unaware that it is really obtaining an inferior
product when it is tinned.
CREAM PASTRIES.
A sample of Devon Splits was returned as adulterated because the
fat employed in making the cream mixture was margarine fat and not
milk fat. Whilst there is no objection to the use of fillings made with
fats other than butter fat, the public should be made aware of the
substitution by means of some description. The use of words such as
"Cream," "Devon" and so on implies that the filling contains genuine
cream.
DRIPPING.
An informal sample of dripping contained 4% of free fatty acids, and
the vendor's attention was drawn to the fact. Dripping of this nature
possesses a very distinct taste, so that there is little necessity on the
part of the Authorities to take action. It is one of those cases where
the vendor will find it necessary in his own interests to mend his ways.