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73
O'o (35 grains), is unnecessarily high, I understand that 28 grains is
now the maximum desired by the trade. Two samples of cream and
one of preserved cream were taken on Sundays. Two samples of each
were taken in the course of delivery to customers and were found to
contain no preservative.
Butter.—Of the 255 samples purchased and submitted for analysis,
5 were found to be adulterated. (See list infra.) Three prosecutions
and two convictions—one of these was taken in course of delivery
(No. 332 N.)—were obtained. The remaining adulterated samples, two
in number, were unofficial or "test" samples. Boric acid was found in
most of the samples, but was, in each case, under 0.5 per cent., which is
the maximum amount permitted.
Out of 34 samples of bread and butter one was found to be adulterated—one
contained 70 per cent, of margarine. The vendor was
fined £2 and 12s. 6d. costs.
Sausages, Meat Pies, &c.—Samples were taken during 1913 of
sausages, meat pies, &c., as shown in the list printed above.
Of 47 Meat Pies (Various) 7 contained boric acid:—14.7, 6.1, 5.2, 3.6, 2.6, 2.6,
and 1.9 grains per lb.
Of 6 Brawn 2 contained boric acid:—14.37, and 7.43 grains per lb.
Of 63 Sausages (Beef and 5 contained boric acid:—14.0, 11.52, 9.41, 5.32, and
Pork) 4.83 grains per lb.
Of 11 German Sausages 3 contained boric acid :—23.92, 14.0, and 13.13 grains
per lb.
Potted Meat.—111 35 samples of potted meats 4 were found to
contain preservative to the amount of 9.5, 8.7, 5.18 and 2.8 grains per
pound respectively.
Fish.—Twelve samples of fish (potted and tinned) were examined.
Two samples of fish paste were found to contain 15.74 and 9.91 grains
boric acid per lb. respectively. One sample of salmon and shrimp paste
contained 14.0 grains boric acid per lb.
Cocoa.—Out of 59 samples taken one was found adulterated—contained
21 per cent, starch and 28 per cent, sugar. The vendor was
prosecuted and fined £1 and 12s. 6d. costs.
Coffee.—Thirty.three samples were taken and one was found to
contain 2 per cent, chicory. The vendor's attention was called to the
adulteration.
Lemonade.—Seven samples were taken and one was found to contain
'112 grains of salicylic acid per pint. No action was taken. The
Departmental Committee of the Local Government Board (Preservatives
F