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the breaches of the Regulations and a communication was received from the
company stating that no salicylic acid had been used by them in the manufacture
of the commodities since the 1st January, 1927, when Regulations came into
operation. They expressed the view that the samples obtained were old stock
which had been in the retailer's possession for some time. In order to encourage
the early clearance of old stock from retailers' shops, the manufacturing company
issued a printed notice to their travellers instructing them to request customers
always to sell their old stocks first and, when stocking shops, to place the fresh
deliveries behind the old.
Minced Meat.
A sample of minced beef was found to contain sulphite preservative equal to
0-054 per cent, of sulphur dioxide or 540 parts per million. A communication was
received from the vendor admitting the use of the preservative and stating that he
understood he was allowed to do so during the summer months. A letter of
caution was addressed to this retailer but on subsequent samples being taken they
were found to contain boric acid. Proceedings were therefore instituted against
the vendor who was convicted and fined £1 18s. Od. with costs £1 3s. Od.
Milk.
Of the 168 samples of milk purchased and analysed eight were reported as
not genuine. In one case where the abstraction of fat was only 2 per cent, no
action was taken. In two cases where the abstractions of fat were respectively
3-3 per cent, and 4-6 per cent, letters of warning were addressed to the milk sellers
and samples subsequently taken from the same vendors were found to be genuine.
In the remaining five cases proceedings were instituted with the following
results:—
4-0 per cent, abstracted fat; summons dismissed, Probation of Offenders Act,
21s. costs.
4-0 per cent, abstracted fat; warranty pleaded, summons dismissed.
6-0 per cent, abstracted fat; warranty pleaded, summons dismissed.
9-0 per cent, abstracted fat; defendant convicted, fined 40s.
7-1 per cent, added water; summons dismissed on payment of 21s. costs.
Tinned Peas.
Twelve samples of tinned peas were examined, one of which was found to
contain copper, equal to 1-239 grains per pound of copper sulphate. Evidence was
submitted that these tinned vegetables had been purchased by the retailer as free
from copper. When the sample was purchased the retailer had remaining in stock
2 tins only and on receiving a communication drawing attention to the presence
of the copper he immediately discontinued the sale of this brand.
Wine
Six samples were taken of sweet white wines; all proved to be genuine. The
samples examined were: —
Rauternes (Bordeaux) (2).
Barsac.
Tvoupiac (Yin de Bordeaux).
White Port (Australian).
Marsala (Italian).