View report page

10
modation and the accommodation for storage and preparation of food
were totally inadequate and unsatisfactory ; there were open gullies
in the food store and the walls and ceilings were not in a proper state of
repair. The premises were subsequently closed down by the owners.
Adulteration of Food.
Five hundred samples were taken by the Sanitary Inspectors for
submission to the Public Analyst, Dr. H. E. Cox.
The number of samples found to be adulterated was 37 or 7.4 per
cent., compared with 23 or 4.6 per cent. in 1943, and 55 or 11.2 per
cent. in 1942.
The following list gives particulars of the foodstuffs classed as
adulterated and the action taken thereon by my Department. Cautions
have been issued to traders in respect of what may be termed the more
" venial " offences, but in two cases prosecutions were instituted, and
are referred to below:—
Article of Food Number of samples found to be adulterated
and particulars of adulteration.
Curry Powderj Four samples adulterated. In one case contained 50
parts per million of lead. In three cases contained
from 25 to 50 per cent, pea or bean flour.
Baking Powder Six samples adulterated. In five cases there was a
deficiency of carbon dioxide ; in one case an excess
of acid instead of the usual small excess of bicarbonate
of soda.
Self Raising Flour Seven samples adulterated. All samples were deficient
in carbon dioxide.
Egg Substitute Powder Three samples adulterated. Deficient in carbon dioxide.
Gelatine Two samples of leaf gelatine were not of edible quality.
One sample of powdered gelatine contained an excess
of copper.
Vinegar Three samples were found to be concentrated solutions
of acetic acid in water.
White Acid One sample was found to be a solution of 38 per cent,
acetic acid.
Cod Liver Oil One sample was deficient in units of vitamin A.
Essence of Lemon Four samples adulterated. Three contained very small
percentages of lemon oil ; one consisted of paraffin oil
with a limited amount of lemon grass oil.
Unsweetened Lemonade One sample was found to be a mixture of citric acid
67.5 per cent. with 25 per cent. of sucrose—so incorrectly
labelled as unsweetened.
Coffee with Chicory One sample was found to contain only 0.17 per cent.
caffeine.
Pork Sausages Two samples contained preservative without declaration.
Fruit Cup, Orange Base, One sample contained only 2.7 per cent. alcohol. ("Cup"
Alcoholic connotes an alcoholic drink comparable in strength
with wine.).
Legal Proceedings.
Two prosecutions were instituted as follows :—
Particulars of Adulteration. Result of Prosecution.
Essence, Lemon Flavour—con- Vendor fined £5 and ordered to
sisted of paraffin oil with a pay £4 4s. costs.
limited amount of lemon grass
oil.
Curry Powder—50 per cent. bean Vendor fined £3 and £4 4s. costs.
flour.