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74
Butter.—In one case in which a sample was found to contain sodium
carbonate and an excessive amount of water, the vendor admitted that
the butter had gone rancid and he had tried to render it saleable by
mixing with it a solution of soda. He was fined £2.
Sponge Cakes.—46 purchases of sponge cakes and sponge-fingers were
made to ascertain whether the arrangement not to use preserved liquid
eggs in their manufacture was being adhered to. In only two instances
was it found that boric acid (19 grains and 11 grains respectively) was
present. The two bakers concerned had each to pay £3 by order of the
magistrate.
Spirits.—Complaints having been received that spirits were being
sold containing more water than is allowed, the Public Health Committee
ordered samples to be taken (60 whiskey, 14 rum, 3 brandy), 11
of whiskeys and 8 rums were found to be below standard. In some
instances the vendor sought to protect himself by exhibiting a notice that
he did not guarantee the quality of the spirits sold. Some of these notices
were held to be valid, but others were not so. Proceedings were taken
against 11 vendors who either exhibited no notice or in which the notice
was deemed to be insufficient, and were successful in 10 cases.
Food Preservatives.— The Committee appointed by the Minister of
Health to enquire into the use of preservatives and colouring matters in
food after hearing evidence from medical officers of health and public
analysts, physicians, pharmacologists, chemists and a great number of
persons connected with the trades which would be affected, has issued a
lengthy report of which the following is a summary of its conclusions and
recommendations :—
(1) Preservatives* should be prohibited in all articles of food and
drink offered or exposed for sale, whether manufactured in
this country or imported, except that for the present the use
of sulphur dioxide and benzoic acid may be permitted in
definite and specific cases to a limited amount, viz. :—
(A) Sulphur dioxide only should be permitted—
(i) In sausages in amounts not exceeding 3 grains per pound ;
(ii) in jam in amounts not exceeding 0-3 grain per pound ;
(iii) in dried fruit in amounts not exceeding 7 grains per
pound ;
(iv) in preserved (but not dried) whole fruit or fruit pulp in
amounts not exceeding 5 grains per pound ;
* The Committee does not include in the word " preservative " such substances as
salt, saltpetre, sugar, vinegar, acetic acid, alcohol or spices, or the minute quantities of
preservative agents introduced by the process of curing known as "smoking" or substances
such as saccharin.