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298
1912]
For the reason above stated I was unable to bring a wider range of
articles under preliminary examination, but I hope to include some of the more
commonly used foods in the near future.
During the year, 783 informal samples were tested and examined, of
which number 665 were found to be genuine, 49 were sold either with a
declaration given verbally or imprinted upon the wrapper; while 67, or 8.7
per cent., were adulterated; the latter including repetition samples purchased
at the same premises over a period of several days, and samples purchased by
young children.
In 42 cases samples were re-purchased and submitted to the Public
Analyst in the usual manner, who reported 40 for prosecution, 1 sample of
milk and 1 sample of coffee as genuine. In the two latter instances doubtless
a change in the article had been effected between the purchase of the preliminary
and official samples.
In two instances the vendors were cautioned, and in the other 38 cases
summonses were issued; while of the proceedings which followed, 36 were
successful, and two remain in abeyance, the persons summoned having moved
away. As already stated, the informal sampling work was directly responsible
for.55.5 per cent. of the total prosecutions under the Sale of Food and Drugs
Act for the year, while the fines resulting from them amounted to £102 9s.
The several foods examined were as follows:—
Milk.—As in previous years, the milk samples were for the most part
obtained from milkshops or dairies, but in the case of two convictions, the
preliminary samples were purchased from vendors in the street
During the year 112 samples were tested, of which number 8, or 71 per
cent. were adulterated, not including those samples adulterated to an extent
of less than four per cent.
Coffee.—Two hundred and fifty samples of coffee were tested; of which
number 215 were found to be genuine; 51 were sold with either a verbal or
printed declaration to the effect that the article was an admixture of Chicory
and Coffee, and 17 were adulterated. In comparing the rates of adulteration,
the conclusions arrived at are often misleading, owing to the dissimilar conditions
of purchase. In the case of coffee, however, the risk of error in this
direction is not so great, and it is interesting to note that whereas in 1908 the
percentage of adulteration was 19.35, the figures for the past year were 6.2,
or a decrease of 68 per cent.