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134
Wines, Beer, Spirits, etc. 25
Fruit Drinks 4
Cream Puffs 1
Drugs 4
Miscellaneous 8
Of these 503 samples, 20 were reported as adulterated and
besides these there were a number of cases in which somewhat unsatisfactory
results were obtained, but for various reasons the particular
samples were passed as genuine though on the border line.
Of the Milks three were adulterated; one contained 12 per cent.
added water, one was 8 per cent. deficient in fat and a third showed
a deficiency corresponding to 2 or 3 per cent. of added water, and my
suspicion that it was really watered was strengthened by the fact that
samples taken in the course of delivery proved to be of quite good
quality.
Water still holds pride of place as the adulterant and cropped up
during the year in excessive quantity in butters, margarines, cheese,
whisky and rum, besides the already mentioned milk cases.
For many years controversy has raged round vinegar and its
definition. The Local Government Board made a tentative definition
in 1911, but left undecided the vexed question as to whether artificial
vinegar could be sold as vinegar. Since then several attempts have
been made to produce an agreed definition, but without success. In
1934 the Society of Public Analysts published definitions arrived at
in consultation with the Vinegar Brewers' Federation, but all such
proposals lacked legal force. This year, however, the issue has been
clarified by the decision of the Chief Magistrate at Bow Street, upheld
by the Court of Quarter Sessions, and it was decided that the word
"Vinegar" connotes the brewed article; so in effect diluted coloured
acetic acid cannot be sold as "Vinegar" or "Table Vinegar." The
Court held that the word "Vinegar" implied a process of brewing; but
there is still no finality as it is now customary to label the artificial
product "Non-brewed Vinegar" which involves a curious contradiction
in terms the legality of which has not been tested. In accordance
with this decision I have reported artificial vinegars as adulterated
unless there has been a clear declaration of the fact; but what should
be done with "Non-brewed Vinegar"?