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242
The shops and stalls in the main thoroughfares were regularly
visited. Surprise visits were made frequently on Saturday nights and
occasionally on Sunday mornings. Although several small articles were
destroyed as suspicious or tainted, in no instance was I justified in
seizing any food stuff exposed for sale during these visits.
Food Stuff Surrendered.
During the year, at the request of the owners, 5 dozen frozen rabbits
and ½cwt. trunk of fish were examined and found to be unfit for human
food. Certificates to that effect were given to the owners after the goods
were destroyed.
Sale of Food and Drugs Acts.
Fifty-seven samples of food and drugs were purchased and submitted
to the Public Analyst for analysis. Of that number 4 contained boric
acid preservatives in the proportions of .2, .3, .5, and .8 per cent. respectively.
In the last instance, viz., sample containing .8 per cent., legal
proceedings were instituted. Of the remaining samples taken 6 were
certified to be so adulterated that summonses were issued against the
respective vendors, and in one case (sample marked 2F, butter certified
to contain 80 5 per cent. foreign fat) butter was asked for and charged for
at the rate of 1s. per lb., but as it was handed to the purchaser in a
wrapper stamped margarine legal proceedings were not advised.
The nature of samples and extent of adulteration, with result of
prosecutions, are indicated below:-
6F Butter—Adulterated with 62.6 per cent. of foreign fat.
Vendor fined £2 and £1 3s. costs
24F Butter—Adulterated with 81.1 per cent. foreign fat.
Summons withdrawn through error in analyst's certificate.
30s. paid to vendor for cost of analysis.
32F Milk—Deficient in fat 10 per cent.
Dismissed, no costs allowed.
In this case the defence proved by expert evidence to the satisfaction
of the Court that the milk when sold was in the same condition as when
taken from their own cow, and had not been tampered with.
34F Milk—Deficient in solids not fat 9.4 per cent.
Vendor fined £1 and £1 3s. costs. The written warranty
defence failed.