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109
Mineral Waters, &c.—Samples of lithia water, ginger ale, ginger beer,
lemonade, lemon squash, kaola and cream soda were examined, and with
three exceptions were found satisfactory. Two of the lithia were not up
to the standard strength—one having a deficit of 60 per cent. As they
were taken without division into three parts, no proceedings were taken,
but the attention of the manufacturer was called to the matter, and
subsequent samples were found to be right.
Lead in Ginger Beer.—Information was received from a medical man
that a patient was suffering from lead-poisoning and that it was
suspected that his condition had resulted from drinking draught ginger
beer which he had been in the habit of obtaining daily from one
establishment. A sample was obtained and was found to contain
one fifth of a grain of lead per pint. The carbonic acid gas in the
ginger beer acting on the lead of the pipes through which it was drawn
from the cellar to the bar would probably account for this. The use of
such pipes was at once discontinued. Attention having been called to
the matter, it was found in other parts of the Metropolis that lead pipes
were being used for this purpose. In Wandsworth, a case was reported
in which nearly the same amount of lead was found.
Chocolate.—In 1908, samples of chocolate in various forms were
taken, as it came to the knowledge of the Council that certain makers
were placing on the market preparations containing a very small
quantity of cocoa, a powder made from the shell or husk being used
instead. In two cases prosecutions took place and penalties were
imposed.
The makers of the "milk chocolate" admitted that, to 2 cwts. of
"mixture," there was added 20 lbs. of shell powder, 5 lbs. of nib cocoa,
and 5 lbs. of dried separated milk.
The Magistrate (Mr. Mead) said he must take a common-sense view
of what milk chocolate should be; there must be a substantial quantity of
cocoa in proportion to other ingredients. The sample sold to the
Inspector was a fictitious article, and it was unjustifiable to call it milk
chocolate. If there was a demand for such a sweetmeat it could be
sold under some other name.
Subsequently, during 1909, other samples were purchased with the
view of seeing if any improvement resulted; 18 samples were taken
and 5 were reported as not containing a good proportion of cocoa. In
2 samples (broken milk chocolate and plain chocolate drops) made by
the maker of one of the 1908 samples it was found that the cocoa had
increased to 9'5 and 8'6 per cent, respectively. Proceedings were taken
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