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68
food adulteration

* Summonses were not issued in respect of these samples.
Summonses were taken out against the vendors of those samples containing preservatives
in excess of the amounts suggested in the letter of the Local Government Board of July, 1906.
The summonses stand adjourned sine die pending decision of a point of law arising out of the
case of McNair v. Cullen (a Westminster prosecution relating to use of preservative [0.313
per cent. of boric acid] in cream). At the present juncture, therefore, nothing can be said
about the local cases, but some notes on the evidence in McNair v. Cullen * will be of interest.
The London cream trade consists of cream put up in jars ("jar cream") and cream sold
by measure (" draught cream"). "Jar cream" is reputed to constitute from 85 to 95 per
cent. of the total volume of the trade. It is prepared in the provinces, being generally
despatched to London within 12 hours after the milk is taken from the cow. The "life" of
the cream—that is the time between milking the cow and consumption—may be taken to
average from 3 to 4 days, but in certain cases may be as long as a week or more. "Jar
cream" contains some 50 per cent. or more of fat, "draught cream" 30-40 per cent., a
difference which materially affects the quantity consumed by the individual, and hence,
indirectly, the question of the use of preservatives.
Evidence was given as to the periods for which cream without and with preservatives
will keep good. Although that evidence was disputed by subsequent witnesses, the latter
did not bring forward any proof of their objections based on experiments at all comparable
with those made by the first witness. His evidence must be taken, therefore, as uncontroverted.
He found that cream kept at summer temperature (60°-75° Fahr.) without added preservatives
remained sweet for from l¾1 day,† and in cold storage (40º) for 4 days. After removal from
the cold store the cream rapidly turned sour. At summer temperatures cream with 0.25 per
cent. boric acid kept from 5-3 days; with 0.30 per cent. (60°), 6½ days ; with 0.34 per cent., 7½
days ; and with 0*5 per cent., 10 days.
It may reasonably be assumed from the foregoing that if cream be prepared under proper
conditions qua cleanliness, etc., not more than 0.25 per cent, of boric acid is necessary for all
trade purposes. From the evidence given by witnesses put forward by the Protection
Association which took up the case, the Trade accepted the contention that "draught cream"
should be sold free from preservatives, but desired to be allowed to sell "jar cream" with 0*5
* The Medical Officer of Health was present throughout the hearing of the Appeal in McNair v. Cullen at
Clerkenwell in November last and took notes of the evidence given. These notes represent the conclusions he
formed from hearing the evidence.
\ In each case the longer period means that the experiment was conducted at the lower temperature.