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83
Cheese.
Eighteen samples of cheese were submitted for analysis during
the year, all of which were procured formally. The samples proved
genuine.
Butter.
The total number of samples of butter taken during the year
was 74. Of these 34 were submitted informally.
All these samples were reported as genuine and were found
to be free from preservatives other than salt.
The average moisture content of the 74 samples amounted to
14-5 per cent.
Margarine.
Fifty-eight samples of margarine were purchased and submitted
to the Public Analyst for examination, 38 of which were procured
informally, and in no case was adulteration certified.
The average moisture content of the 58 genuine samples was
13-9 per cent.
Sausages, Bacon, Preserved Meats, &c.
Thirty-two samples, viz. :—1 formal sample of canned meat ;
1 formal sample of bacon ; 22 formal samples of sausages (including
4 of liver or luncheon sausage, 1 of breakfast sausage and 5 samples
labelled " Preserved Sausage ") and 8 informal samples of sausage
were submitted to the Public Analyst during the year.
Two of the formal and two informal samples of sausages were
certified to be adulterated, the remainder being reported as genuine.
The Public Health (Preservatives, etc., in Food) Regulations,
permit the presence of sulphur dioxide in sausages to an amount
not exceeding 450 parts per million, but the presence of this preserva—
tive must be indicated on the label, or by a general notice displayed
in a conspicuous position in the shop.
The two formal samples reported against by the Public Analyst
were both certified to contain preservatives, in one case both
sulphite and boron preservatives being present. Proceedings were
instituted against the vendor in this case and he was ordered to pay
£6 6s. costs (vide p. 67). In the second case, the preservative
present was of the kind and within the quantity allowed, but the
sausages bore no label indicating the presence of the preservative.
As, however, a notice was exhibited in the shop that sausages sold
in the establishment contained preservative, no proceedings could