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78
The average rate of adulteration for the London Boroughs in 1930
was 2.9 per cent., and for the whole of England and Wales, 4.8 per cent.
In previous quarterly and annual reports, attention has been drawn
to the fact that the rate of adulteration in the Borough is higher than
that of some neighbouring districts.
The recorded figures for other Districts can only be commented upon.
Without a knowledge of their specific problems and conditions any
criticism must be withheld, but it is extremely doubtful if there is much
difference in the amount of existing adulteration in Districts of similar
character.
Owing to the particular and vigorous manner in which this work hasbeen
attacked in the Borough, it will be observed that there has been a
steady decline in the figures since the years 1927 and 1928.
The practice carried on for some years past of concentrating on
certain articles which by informal sampling have been shown to be
adulterated, or of inferior quality or doubtful purity, will always produce
relatively high figures.
This should be taken not solely as an indication of unsatisfactory
state of affairs, but should be regarded at the same time as a result of the
activities of the Officers concerned and the methods employed.
The number of samples examined was at the rate of 5.0 per 1,000 of
the population, as compared with 9.1 per 1,000 for the London Boroughs,
and 3.6 per 1,000 for the whole of England and Wales.
Milks .
392 milks were examined, of which 13, or 3.3 per cent., were found
to be adulterated.