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67
Conserves, Vegetables, Fruit, &c.
Under this heading are included tinned fruit and
vegetables, fresh fruit, dried fruit, jam, marmalade, mincemeat,
lemon cheese and honey—in all, thirty-three
samples. The tinned articles were free from all but traces
of tin and in no case was preservative detected except
where it is allowed and in these the amounts found fell
within the permitted limits.
In only one instance—a sample of pears—was adulteration
detected. Here the presence of copper was reported,
the amount found being 0.02 of a grain per pound of fruit.
The copper compound was concentrated on the skin and
therefore it was assumed that it came from the use of a
spray on the growing fruit. The consignment was
surrendered by the vendor and destroyed.
Cocoa, Coffee, Tea, &c.
Seven specimens of cocoa, five of coffee, one of coffee
and chicory, and four of tea were genuine. Tests for
arsenical contamination in the cocoas gave negative results.
A sample of malt, milk and egg beverage gave evidence
of the presence of all three of the named constituents and
contained nothing extraneous; it was therefore passed as
genuine.
Farinaceous Foods.
Four samples of rice, one of semolina, one of tapioca,
and three of self-raising flour were genuine. The rices
showed no evidence of polishing with talc and the " raiser "
in the flours was of satisfactory composition, no excess of
calcium sulphate being found.
Condiments, &c.
Six specimens of olive oil, three of pepper, five of
vinegar, two of mint sauce and one of dried mint were
examined and in no case was adulteration detected. One
of the vinegars was sold as malt vinegar and had the