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sale of food and drugs acts. 31
SALE OF FOOD AND DRUGS ACTS.
(See Table XIX., Appendix.)
Samples Taken.—The standard number (600) were obtained and submitted to the Public
Analyst, that total including 73 of milk purchased on Sundays and Bank Holidays, and 67 (also
milk) taken in transit at the G.W.R. Terminus. The table shows that 56 (9.3 per cent.) of the samples
were returned as adulterated; but, as a matter of fact, only 29 (4.8 per cent.) were adultered in the
popular use of the term. The remaining 27 contained preservatives.
Milk.—Of the 272 samples of milk, 132 were purchased at shops or from roundsmen, no case
of adulteration being detected. The remaining 140 included 73 bought on Sundays and Bank
Holidays, one being adulterated, and 67 taken at the G.W.R. Terminus, 18 adulterated—the percentages
of adulteration being 1.3 and 26.9 respectively.
In 1919-20 the shop samples showed 1.3 per cent. adulterated, and in 1921, 2.0. Among
"Sunday" samples the adulteration was 1.5 per cent. in 1921, 5.1 during 1919-20, and 5.9 during
1914-18. For "station" samples, the percentage was 29.6 during 1909-13, 39.2 during 1914-18,
16.5 in 1919, 4.4 in 1920, and 20.7 in 1921. The percentage is always high in this group of samples,
as the services of the Inspector are not sought until the consignee has found by analysis that adulterated
milk is being sent to him. It is evident that close supervision over the supplies sent to
London is very necessary both to protect the public and the retailers.
Cream.—Of 11 samples of cream 3 were "preserved," containing over 35 per cent. of fat, and boric
acid varying from 0.012-0.4 per cent. All were correctly labelled.
Other Samples.—In 2 samples of lime juice (cordial) it was found that phosphoric acid had been
substituted for citric acid, the natural constituent of the juice.
Preservatives.—In 27 samples varying amounts of boric or salicylic acid were found, viz.:—
5 of sponge cakes (boric acid, max. 23-min. 12 grains per lb.) ; 5 of mincemeat (salicylic acid, max.
3.5-min. 1.5 grains per lb.); 6 of sausages (boric acid, max. 35-min. 8 grains per lb.); 5 of liquid
eggs (boric acid, max. 122.5-min. 52.5 grains per lb.); 2 of "British" wines (salicylic acid, 8 grains
and 1 grain per pint); 2 of lime juice (salicylic acid, 2 grains per pint in each); 1 of "lemon squash"
(salicylic acid, 3.5 grains per pint), and 1 of fruit syrup (salicylic acid, 3 grains per pint).
It was ascertained that the presence of boric acid in sponge cakes was due to the use of liquid
eggs, which are of Chinese origin. The attention of the Minister of Health was called to the undesirableness
of the presence of any preservative in a commodity largely eaten by invalids and young
children. After conference with the trade, an agreement was arrived at that the amount of boric acid
in liquid eggs should not exceed one per cent., and that liquid eggs should not be used in the manufacture
of certain varieties of sponge cake.
Apart from any question as to the necessity of adding preservatives to foodstuffs, the conclusion
which can be drawn, even from the limited facts given above, is that legislation is urgently required
to control such addition. If one grain per pint or pound is found by one manufacturer to be sufficient,
why should another add double that quantity, or more ?
Colouring Matter.—In 3 samples of tinned peas, copper sulphate was found in amounts varying
from 1½ to 3 grains per lb. In this practice regulation is equally necessary. In certain foreign countries
the addition of colouring matter is prohibited entirely in foodstuffs for home consumption, but
sanctioned in those for export.
RATS AND MICE (DESTRUCTION) ACT, 1919.
Complaints of rat infestation of houses increased from 59 in 1921 to 106 last year. In 4 instances
enquiry indicated that the complaints arose from the presence of a stray rat in the house, and action
by the Department was deemed to be unnecessary. In all other instances examinations of the drains
of the premises were made, both from the interior of the sewers into which such drains discharged,
and within the curtilages of the premises. The examinations from the sewers extended to the drains
from the houses on each side of the infested house. In many instances the flap valves on the house
drains were found to be defective or rusted up in an open position; in others minor defects were
found in the walls of the (brick) sewers. Such defects were made good by the Sewers Department.
Reconstruction or repair of the drain connexions were required at 34 houses, and the same applies
to the drains within the curtilages of 26 infested houses. The works carried out were successful
in freeing the houses of rats.
A "Rat Week" was held in November last (6th-l 1th). As on previous occasions the co-operation
of the principal tradesmen concerned with foodstuffs, wharfingers, and others was sought, and the
Borough Surveyor freely baited manholes and side entrances on the public sewers, 1,983 baits being
put down in 462 places. All the baits disappeared and 9 rats were found dead, that being the first
occasion of discovering any dead rats. Practically no information was received of the results obtained
on private premises.