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100
out by the Public Analyst for the Borough, at the laboratory at
325 Kennington Road, S.E. 11.
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
1936 was 744, of which 8 or 1-1 per cent, were certified by the
Public Analyst to be adulterated. In addition to the foregoing,
456 informal samples were procured, of which 10 or 2-2 per cent,
were reported against.
The percentage of samples reported by the Public Analyst to
be adulterated during the quinquennia 1921 to 1935 and in each
year from 1931 onwards, is given in the following table.
Year.
Formal
samples.
(per cent.)
Informal
samples.
(per cent.)
Mean 1921—1925
6•4
7•4
Mean 1926—1930
3•3
2•4
1931
3•5
Nil
1932
2•4
2•9
1933
1•0
0•5
1934
0•7
5•0
1935
1•2
2•0
Mean 1931—1935
1•8
2•1
1936
1•1
2•2
The Public Analyst points out that the year under review
yields results closely similar to those of 1935, and consequently the
opinion expressed then still holds good, and there seems little doubt
that the gross and deliberate adulteration of former times is rapidly
becoming a thing of the past.
On page 101 is a chart showing the percentage of adulteration
among formal samples in Battersea compared with London and
England and Wales for the past 14 years.