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I understand that this mixture has been held to fulfil the requirements of the Aet,
but I cannot help feeling that the sale of such a "cream" without due noticc to the
purchaser is most unjust, and places those makers and vendors of these and similar
articles, who use and sell real cream derived from milk, at a serious disadvantage,
not to mention the purchasing public, who in my opinion, are seriously prejudiced
by this substitution.
Tine lure of Iodine (Strong).—This sample was found to be deficient in iodine
to the extent of at least 52 per cent, and in potassium iodine to the extent of at
least 50 per cent. The British Pharmacopoeia provides for two preparations of
tincture of iodine—one strong and the other weak—the latter being one quarter the
strength of the strong, so that the sample in question conformed to neither
specification.
Jam.—Only one sample of jam contained a slight excess of preservative—15
pads per million of sulphur di-oxide in excess of the amount allowed—40 parts
per million.
Milk.—Two samples of milk fell below the requirements of the Board of
Agriculture Standard and were certified accordingly—one to contain at least 5-2
per cent, of added water and the other to be deficient in fat to the extent of at
least 10 per cent. It is again satisfactory to note that the milk supply of the
Borough must be regarded as well above the minimum limits, as the average
composition of the 196 samples obtained from shops, restaurants and in the streets
was 3-60 per cent, for fat and 8.88 per cent, for non-fatty solids. This is slightly
below the average for last year, when the figures were 3.71 and 8.92 respectively.
Preservatives were not found in any sample. Undoubtedly the quality of the milk
supply of the Borough has been well maintained and offers further evidence of
the advantages to be derived from systematic sampling.
Sausages.—One of the samples of sausages had been preserved with sulphite
preservative without notice to that effect having been given to the purchaser, and
therefore a breach of the Preservatives Regulations was committed. A maker may
add sulphite preservative to sausages provided that notice be given of the addition
and that the quantity docs not excecd 450 parts per million expressed in terms of
sulphur di-oxide.
Dried. Mint.—It may be interesting to mention the samples of dried mint and
mint sauce all of which proved to be genuine. The samples were obtained owing
to the fact that it had been found that certain imported dried mint had been
adulteratod with other leaves, in particular those of the ailanthus or tree of heaven,
but its timely detection has practically put a stop to the admixture of these leaves
which appears to have taken place on the Continent but not in this country.
Rum Essence.—The chief point of interest about this sample and other similar
essences and flavouring liquids put on the market about the same time was that
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