View report page

155
The sample of dried fruit which was reported
as adulterated was sold as Sultanas, though I have
always understood that the product supplied
should be called Seedless Raisins. The report
stated that the adulteration was merely technical
and not to the prejudice of the purchaser, but
the vendor is of the opinion that he is correct.
After making fairly extensive enquiries, I find
that this fruit is shipped to this country from
California as Sultanas, that in America it is
sold exclusively as Thompson's Seedless Raisins
and that a considerable body of trade opinion
holds that it should be given this designation in
this country. There is a difference in the texture
of the skin and of the meat in a sultana and a
raisin, and it would be well, if this were more
fully appreciated in the retail trade in this
country.
One sample of gin and one of rum, both
purchased informally, were found to be adulterated
with an excess of water, but formal samples
obtained later were found to be satisfactory.
Publicans are allowed by law to dilute their
spirits to the legal strength of 35 per cent. U.P.
on their own premises, but it will be appreciated
that the methods at their disposal are on the
whole crude and that they are liable to make
mistakes. The fact that the formal samples have
been genuine in each case shows that there was
probably no intentional adulteration, but it would
be advisable for the follow-up samples to be
taken as quickly as possible in these cases.
Drugs.
It is satisfactory to note that pharmacists in
the Borough appear to have appreciated the
requirements of the 1932 Pharmacopoeia rapidly
and that samples purchased have responded to
the tests for the new preparations. In certain