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REPORT OF THE COUNCIL'S PUBLIC ANALYST,
Thomas McLachlan. A.C.G.F.c. F.R.I.C.
During the year 1952, 800 samples of foods and drugs were extrained.
Of these 34 were taken informally, 765 formally, and one by a private
person.

A sample of Pork Sausages was examined and found to be 20% deficient
in meat.
2 Table Jellies failed to comply with the setting test proscribed by
the Food Standards (Table Jellies) Order, 1949, and another sample possessed
an unpleasant taste due to a thin film on the outside of the jelly caused
by rancid oil which was probably used to grease the moulds when the jellies
were made.
Some Tea Tablets were examined, and your analyst was of the opinion
that the essential effect of the Tablets was that the sodium bicarbonate
darkens the colour of the tea infusion creating the impression that the
tea is stronger than it is. The label also failed to comply with the requirements
of the Labelling of Food Order, 1950. a formal sample of these
tablets was obtained, but in the meantime another Authority for whom your
analyst was acting as Public Analyst had taken up the matter of their composition
and labelling with the manufacturers and whilst the matter was
under discussion the control of tea was withdrawn and so the excuse for
any tablets of this type ceased to exist.
Three samples of Cut Peel were found to be unsatisfactory. One sample
contained only 43.3% of total sugars and another sample contained 49%. The
third sample contained 56% of sugar, but was fermenting rather badly.
A sample of Mincemeat had an acid flavour and contained an amount of
acid equivalent to 0.65% calculated as acetic acid. The Preserves Order,
S.I. 1949 No. 1893, requires that mincemeat shall contain not more than