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84
Food and Drugs (Adulteration) Act, 1928.
The analysis of samples of food and drugs procured under the
provisions of the above-mentioned Act, or informally (i.e., without
following in detail the procedure prescribed by the Act in the case
of formal samples) is carried out by the Public Analyst for the
Borough, at the laboratory at 325 Kennington Road, S.E.
The bacteriological examination of samples (mainly milk) is
carried out by the Clinical Research Association, Ltd., at Watergate
House, Strand, W.C.
The total number of food samples taken under the Act during
1934 was 759, of which 5 or 0.67 per cent. were certified by the
Public Analyst to be adulterated. In addition to the foregoing,
441 informal samples were procured, of which 22 or 5 per cent.
were reported by the Public Analyst as being adulterated or containing
preservatives in contravention of the provisions of the Public
Health (Preservatives, &c., in Food) Regulations.

It will be seen from this table that the percentage of adulteration
of formal samples in the year under review, is the lowest recorded,
and consequently the improvement in the food supply of the
Borough, referred to in previous reports, is well maintained.
The rise in the percentage of adulteration of informal samples
was largely due to adverse reports on one article, viz., tinned
sardines, 16 informal samples of which were found to contain small
quantities (from 3 to 30 parts per million) of lead. This subject is
more fully referred to on page 89.