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nominal penalties inflicted. Eleven samples of "fresh" cream (not the
kind sold in pots) were taken, and 9 were found to contain boric acid,
although the season of the year was March. The amounts were in
grains per lb., 5, 6.3, 7, 7.5, 84, 9, 9, 11.5 and 25. Proceedings were
taken in the last. It has been suggested that boric acid is only used to
keep cream from Saturday to Monday. Seven of the samples were
taken on a Monday and 2 were genuine, the other 4 samples were taken
on Thursday and Friday, and each contained preservative.
Butter.—A considerable amount of margarine is sold as butter. In
a number of shops a strange customer is promptly recognised and will
be supplied with the genuine article, but once the customer becomes a
regular one margarine is substituted. In order to detect this unofficial
samples have been purchased by agents preparatory to an official sample
being taken. Margarine was served in some small eating-houses when
bread and butter was asked for, and 3 prosecutions resulted.
Margarine.—Four persons were summoned for exposing margarine
for sale without the name being shown on it, or for serving in an
unmarked wrapper, or for both offences.
Cream Cheese.—60 samples were purchased. As a rule these were
found to be genuine articles, but a few (7) contained boric acid to the
following extent:-4 grains, 5 grains, 7 grains, 12½ grains, 13½ grains,
15 grains, 16 grains, and 30 grains per pound. One cream cheese was
evidently a bondon prepared from skimmed milk, as it was reported to
be deficient in fat to the extent of 90 per cent. The vendor was
summoned and fined; the Magistrate characterised the label as a
"deliberate fraud." On one part of the label referred to appeared the
words "La Creme. Neufchatel. Bondon Fabrique par Blanchot," in
large type, and on another part of the label the words "Sole Manufactory,
Wilts United Dairies, Devizes," in small type. The Council
called the attention of the makers to the remarks of the Magistrate, and
they replied, stating that the Company sell this cheese as "skim milk
cheese," and that, in order that there shall be no future discrepancy,
they have now cut out the words "La Creme."
Sausages and Meat Pies.—The Public Health Committee, having
taken a considerable number of samples during 1907, and finding that,
even during the winter months, some makers used preservatives, they
decided to issue the following cautionary letter to vendors of this class
of foodstuff in the City:—
"The Westminster City Council have recently purchased, for
analysis, a number of beef, pork, German, and other forms of sausage,