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Fifteen samples of sausages were examined, and in every case they were found to agree with
their declaration with regard to preservatives.
The samples of shredded suet were found not to contain an excess of starch or water, and
these, and the samples of dripping and other cooking fats were all found to be free from rancidity.
A sample of potatoes was submitted as the result of their having travelled in vans at the same
time as deliveries of arsenic, contrary to the Poisons Regulations, but they were not found to have
been contaminated.
Six samples of beers and 17 of spirits were examined, and all were found to be genuine. The
Public Analyst is not concerned with the price of commodities, but merely with the compliance or
not with the Food and Drugs Adulteration Act. He is therefore unaware of the price charged for
spirits in the Borough, but has noticed that the alcoholic strength of spirits sold in Fulham, whilst
complying with the provisions of the Act, are definitely lower than that of spirits sold in a neighbouring
borough.
Of 48 samples of drugs, nine, or 18.75 per cent., were reported as adulterated, as compared
with only 2.2 per cent. last year.
Three samples of grey powder were found to be deficient in mercury, to the extent of 32 per cent.,
35 per cent. and 50 per cent. respectively.
One sample of mercury ointment was 67 per cent. deficient in mercury, and a sample of calomel
ointment was 20 per cent. deficient in calomel.
Four samples of syrup of figs were reported as adulterated. Two of these were found to
contain a very high proportion of inverted sugar, and to possess an odour of nutmeg; and it was
presumed that they had been prepared a considerable time—a conclusion which was confirmed by
the pharmacist—and as a result of which the active ingredients might have deteriorated. The other
two samples had evidently been prepared according to a formula totally different from that of the
British Pharmaceutical Codex, and enquiry showed that the wholesaler put up two preparations,
which he labelled quite differently, but that the retailer had not passed on this information when
making his sale.
Twenty-two samples of milk were submitted for examination under the Milk (Special Designations)
Order, 1936, and all passed the tests laid down by the Ministry of Health in Memo. 139/Foods.
It is perhaps unfortunate that official tests for coliform organisms are no longer necessary on pasteurised
milk, since they were detected in 1/100th of a millilitre in one sample, and in 1 millilitre in
four other samples.
Ten samples were examined under the Poisons Regulations, and all were found to be correctly
described as poisonous substances or not, as the case might be.
Two samples of Rag Flock contained 8.9 and 7.1 parts of chlorine per 100,000 of rag flock
respectively, amounts which are within the requirements of the Rag Flock Act.