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49
of different varieties of the article were examined, all being found to contain boric
acid. The vendors were advised the the sale of the commodity with the
preservative would be contrary to the provision of the Public Health (Preservatives,
etc., in Food) Regulations, and that proceedings would follow if such sale
continued after reasonable time had been allowed for the existing stock to be
cleared. The sale of the article was shortly afterwards discontinued.
Cream.
Twelve samples of cream were purchased and analysed, of these two were
found to contain preservative, namely, boric acid. In reply to communications
addressed to the vendors explanations were submitted and the Public Health
Committee were satisfied that in each case the sale of the preserved creqm without
the required disclosure of the presence of preservative was by inadvertence. No
action was taken beyond letters of caution to each vendor.
Grape Juice.
Two samples of grape juice were purchased and both were found to contain
sulphur dioxide. The vendors claimed that as this grape juice was sold without
a label required by the second schedule of the Public Health (Preservatives, etc.,
in Food) Regulations, 1925, its sale was not governed by the fourth paragraph of
the first schedule of the Regulations but came within the fifth paragraph of the
first schedule which permits sulphur dioxide up to 350 parts per million, and in
support of this claim they submitted copy of a communication from the Chambre
de Com mcrce Fran (-disc tlr Londres intimating that they had received information
that: "The importation in England of unfermented grape juice containing
sulphur dioxide is not prohibited if the quantity of sulphur dioxide does not
exceeds 350 parts per million, calculated by weight." A communication was
addressed to the Ministry of Health on the subject and subsequently a reply
was received intimating that unfermented grape juice other than that referred to
under Ttem 4 of part 1 of the first schedule of the Regulations of 1925 may
contain either sulphur dioxide or benzoic acid in accordance with Ttem 5 and is not
required to be labelled.
The vendor concerned with the samples in this Borough was therefore
informed that the sale of the commodity was not contrary to the Regulations.
Raspberrij Jam.
One sample of raspberry jam was found to be adulterated by the addition of
10 per cent, of apple matter, no disclosure of the addition thereof being made
on the label attached to the container in which the jam was sold. Proceedings
were instituted against the vendor, the summons being dismissed on a warranty
defence. Proceedings were then instituted against the manufacturers for giving a
false warranty. On the hearing of this summons the defendants pleaded guilty and
were dealt with under the Probation of Offenders Act, being ordered to pay
£10. 10s. Od. costs.
Kanla and Lemon Squash.
Samples of each of these beverages were examined during the year and found
to contain salicylic acid. From information received it appeared that both the
Knola and Lemon Squash were supplied to the retailers in this Borough by the
same manufacturers; (he attention of Ihe manufacturing company was cnl'od to
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