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Sale of Food and Drugs Ads.-—The usual number (1,800) of samples
were taken during the year. Of these, 920 were of milk, of which 13.6
per cent. did not comply with the Regulations. In 1916, the percentage
was 112, and the average of the previous five years was 8.2. The
figures for each quarter were:—
1917.
No. of
Samples.
Adulterated.
Per cent.
Excess
of water,
Deficient
in fat.
Both
defects.
lft Quarter 205 30 14.6 16 14 2
2nd „ 228 40 17.5 24 16 1
3rd „ 251 35 13.9 12 23 1
4th „ 236 20 8.5 17 3 1
Total 920 125 13.6 69 56 5
Proceedings were taken in respect of 81 infringements; in four cases
the milk carrier was summoned as well as the owner, and, on the conviction
of the former the summons was withdrawn against the latter. Eight
retailers were summoned twice during the year. Warranties were proved
in 27 cases, and the summons dismissed. During the latter part of the
year there was evidence that milk re-constructed from dried milk was
being added to new milk. In one case milk made from powder was
detected having a large excess of water (51 per cent.), and a 3 per cent.
deficiency of fat. One dairyman was fined for refusing to sell to the
Inspector, later in the year he was fined for selling milk with 1G per cent,
of added water. Three samples of separated and skimmed milk were
taken, and one was found to have an excess (22.7 per cent.) of water.
Cream.—72 samples of what should have been pure cream were taken,
and 25 of these were found to contain preservatives, and should, therefore,
have been sold as preserved cream. Ten summonses under the Food and
Drugs Acts and 1 under the Milk and Cream Regulations were taken out.
Preserved cream was sampled on 97 occasions. Taking all the creams
containing preservatives, in the winter months the number containing
boric acid per lb. was 48, 36 not exceeding 17½ grs., 11 between that and
22½ grs., and 1 between 22½ and 25 grs. In the summer months, in 74
samples, 42 did not contain more than 17½ grs., and 20 were between
that and.22½ grs., there were 3 between 22½ and 25 and 5 between 25
and 28 grs.; four samples exceeded that amount, one being 36.8 grs.,
these last were in the quarter ending-September, and the vendors were
summoned.
Eight summonses were issued for failure to affix proper labels that