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85
Minister of Pood. A sample of strawberry
flavoured Table Cream contained 400 parts
per million of zinc and it is believed that
this zinc originates from the use of
galvanised iron net for drying purposes
instead of aluminium, owing to the shortage
of aluminium resulting from the war.
A sample of powdered coffee extract was
condemned because it had become damp and
caked into a lamp at the bottom of the
container. Preparations of this type are
liable to coke in this manner and,in your
analyst's opinion, should be labelled to
the effect that they will be changed if
unfit for use before a certain date. The
public is then aware of what it is buying.
A sample of sugar was found to contain 7
per cent. of ground rice, half-strength
saccharin tablets were sold as fullstrength
and a sweetening solution was
75 per cent. deficient in the sweetening
power claimed for it on the label.
Seven samples of cordials Were condemned
as adulterated. During the last year your
analyst has appeared in many courts on
behalf of other Authorities,who have taken
action in these cases. Unfortunately one or
two analysts have seen fit to support these
bogus preparations on which large profits
have been made by certain firms and as a
result of an Appeal the Divisional Court has
held that the evidence of a Public Analyst
should be supported by that of some
representative of the public or of the
trade. The situation thus caused is most
unsatisfactory since, whilst no-one deprecates
the appearance of numerous Public Analysts
on either side in these cases more than your
own analyst, the average member of the
public is ignorant of what should be the
composition of foods and representatives
of the trade are unwilling to appear on