View report page

71
proportion—125 to 100 parts per million. Two consignments were seized
at these ports. A circular letter was sent to all dealers in caviare, hotels
and restaurants in Westminster warning them against purchasing caviare
so treated.
Lime Juice and Lemon Squash.—18 samples were examined. Four
of the 10 lime juice samples contained no preservative. All the eight
lemon squash samples contained some. Proceedings were taken in one
instance in which the sample was said to have been made from fresh
lemons. It contained 30.6 grains of phosphoric acid. It was stated
that the sample was from the surplus of a consignment made specially
for the use of the troops in Mesopotamia, and its contents did not
necessarily represent the usual composition. The manufacturers agreed
to alter the label on their bottles in future, and on payment of £5 5s.
costs, the summons was withdrawn.
Drugs.—Samples of borax, cream of tartar and camphorated oil were
purchased. Borax is sold for commercial purposes by grocers, oil and
colourmen and ironmongers and for medicinal purposes by chemists.
The latter is a more purified article and a standard for it is laid down in
the British Pharmacopoeia as to the maximum amount of arsenic, lead
and other impurities which must not be exceeded. Samples were taken
from both chemists and general shops.
Of 2 from chemists, one complied with the requirements, the other
contained 46 parts of arsenious oxide instead of 5 parts per million.
Of 8 from general shops, 7 consisted of the purer article and one had
40 parts of arsenic.
Summonses were issued in both cases—the chemist was fined £3 3s.;
in the other case the magistrate held that the purchaser was not prejudiced
in being supplied with commercial borax.
One sample purchased as cream of tartar from a chemist proved to be
tartaric acid, for which he was fined £3.
The camphorated oil samples were all genuine.
Preservatives and Colouring Matters in Food.—The City Council has
expressed the view that a Committee should be appointed by the Ministry
of Health to go into the whole question anew.