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Food and Drugs Act, 1938.—Altogether 432 samples were
submitted to the Public Analyst during the year for analysis in
accordance with the provisions of the above Act and, of these, 37
were formal and 395 informal. Four formal and 14 informal
samples were reported as being non-genuine. One non-genuine
informal sample, however, not taken in the normal course of sampling
(its submission being the result of a complaint) and 3 other nongenuine
samples which infringed only the Labelling of Food Order,
1950, have been excluded in the calculation of the adulteration
figure. The adulteration figure of 3.9% for 1952 indicates a substantial
fall from the 7.5% of the previous year.
Milk was again the main food sampled and of the 58 samples
submitted for analysis 3 proved to be non-genuine by reason of the
presumed presence of water to the extent of up to 1%. It was
considered that the percentage was insufficient to warrant legal
proceedings, especially as repetitive samples proved satisfactory.
Thirty-three samples of Ice Cream, 2 of Ice Cream Powder and
3 Ice-lollipops were examined, all of which proved satisfactory.
The maximum and minimum fat contents of ice-cream were 13.7%
and 8.2% respectively, figures well in excess of the legal standard.
Appended at the end of this Food Section is a table listing all
the samples reported upon as being "non-genuine" and giving the
administrative action taken in respect of each unsatisfactory
sample.
No legal proceedings were instituted during the current year.
In addition to those obtained under the Food & Drugs Act,
other articles not procured in the normal course of sampling were
examined either by the Public Analyst or at the Public Health
Service Laboratory. These examinations were the outcome of
complaints from members of the public or as a result of special
investigations into certain foods carried out by the Food Inspectors.
Information concerning the analyses of these samples is given
in the following table:—