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Cakes.—27 samples were taken and 2 only contained preservative—14 and 10 grains
boric acid respectively. The Vendors were cautioned.
Cream Cheese.—1 sample was taken and contained 16 grains boric acid per lb.
A notice was displayed and no further action taken.
Meat Pies.—55 samples were taken and 10 contained boric acid. (15.4, 10.5, 9.8,
9.1, 9.0, 6, 6, 5.6, 4 and 2 grains per lb. respectively). Cautionary letters were sent in
two eases and in the remainder the vendors' attention was called to the result of analysis.
Sausages.—75 samples of sausages of various kinds were examined, 12 contained
preservative in small quantities and 1 had 14.7 grains of boric acid per lb. No notice
being given and the vendor, having been cautioned for a similar offence, was fined £5.
Meat and Fish Paste.—60 samples were taken and 4 contained boric acid in the
following quantities:—5, 1.4, 1.4 grains per lb., and the remainder contained a trace.
A cautionary letter was sent in the first case.
Peas.—30 samples were taken and 14 were found to contain preservative—10, crystallised
copper sulphate in quantities varying from .17 to 3 grains per lb., and 4
zinc in quantities varying from .2 to 1.75 grains per lb. Summary proceedings were
taken in three cases with respect to sulphate of copper—3 grains (£2 fine and £5 5s.
costs), 1.73 grains (warranty proved; summons dismissed), and 3.04 grains (dismissed
with £3 3s. costs) and in one containing zinc 1.75 grains per lb. (dismissed with £3 3s.
costs).
Beans.—5 samples were taken and 3 were found to contain preservative (2, crystallised
copper sulphate, 1¼ and 1 grain respectively; and 1, .7 of a grain of zinc per lb. The
vendor of the sample in which was found 1¼ grains of copper sulphate, no notice having
been given, was fined £2 and £5 5s. costs.
Spinach.—2 samples were taken and both contained preservative—5.4 grains crystalised
copper sulphate and .7 grain of zinc per lb. respectively. The vendor of the first
sample was fined £1 and £3 costs.
Tomatoes.—2 samples taken and each contained 1 grain of tin per lb. No action was
taken.
Lime Juice Cordials, &c.—19 samples were taken and 18 contained small quantities
of Salicylic Acid, Sulphur Dioxide or Benzoic Acid. In every case a notice was printed
on the label which was on the bottle. No action was therefore taken.
Arsenic in Apples.—As a result of the occurrence of two cases of
illness in Hampstead alleged to be due to the presence of arsenic in apples,
samples were taken by that authority and were found to contain arsenic
in appreciable amount. Proceedings were instituted and were successful.
It has been known for many years that in various parts of the world
where the codlin moth is the cause of blight , insecticides containing arsenic
are used to prevent its ravages. These insecticides are generally used
in the spring season while the blossom is out, but they are not applied
as a rule when the fruit has formed. The season of 1925 abroad happened
to be particularly dry, and, apparently, these arsenical preparations had
to be applied again at a later stage to the maturing fruit while the rainfall
proved insufficient to wash it of!. The result was that many consignments
of an early brand of apples (Jonathans) coming from Canada
and the United States were found to contain arsenious oxide varying
in amount from 1/100 gr. to 1/10 gr. per pound. Samples from many