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290
1910]
Groceries.—148 samples of various articles contained under this heading
were purchased and submitted to the Public Analyst, of which 24, or 16.2 per
cent. as contrasted with 28.3 per cent. in 1909, were returned by him as
adulterated. The falling off in the percentage is mainly due to the fact that
coffees containing chicory are now nearly always sold with a declaration.
Demerara Sugar.—7 samples of Demerara sugar were obtained for
analysis, of which 3, or 43 per cent. were found to be other than Demerara
sugar. The substitution of yellow crystals for this article is not nearly so
common now as it was in former years. Still a certain class of grocers, who
have their shops in mean streets, pursue the practice, although in some instances
unknowingly, for it has been ascertained in one or two cases that they themselves
had bought as Demerara sugar the article which they subsequently sold,
and which proved to be yellow crystals. The high percentage of adulteration
is entirely due to the fact that the Inspector informally sampled a number of
shops before purchasing the article, and, therefore, it is higher than it would
have been if all the samples that were purchased had been submitted to
the Public Analyst.
Golden Syrup.—14 samples were obtained, and of these 3, or 21.4 per
cent. were adulterated, as compared with 14.3 in 1909. It is high time that a
standard was made for golden syrup, for the addition of glucose to it goes on
apace, while the actual substitution of coloured glucose is not unknown.
The Medical Officer of Health submitted the following report to the Public
Health Committee on the 9th May, in reference to a sample of golden syrup
that had been reported against by the Public Analyst:—
To the Chairman and Members of the
Public Health Committee.
Gentlemen,
golden syrup.
On March 31st last Inspector Burrell purchased some golden
syrup at a shop in Liverpool Road. It was handed to him in a
glass. The syrup was duly submitted to the Public Analyst, who certified
that 58 per cent of the so-called golden syrup consisted of glucose made
from starch, whereas golden syrup is made from sugar. In other words,
nearly three-fifths of the substance was not what it professed to be. On
the paper wrapper in which the article was wrapped appeared the words
"Amber Syrup," and, therefore, in these circumstances a summons could