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287
[1913
It was not, however, until 1860 that the first general Adulteration Act
was passed, which was followed twelve years later (1872) by the Act which
enabled counties and boroughs to appoint public analysts.
Since that time many Acts of Parliament and Orders made under them,
relating to the Adulteration of Focds and Drugs have been passed by the
Legislature, as may be seen by the following list of those now in force.
Adulteration of Coffee Act, 1718.
Adulteration of Tea and Coffee Act, 1724.
Adulteration of Tea Act, 1730.
Do. do. 1776.
Bread Act, 1836.
Sale of Food and Drugs Act, 1875.
Sale of Food and Drugs Act Amendment Act, 1879.
Margarine Act, 1887.
Sale of Food and Drugs Act, 1899.
Butter and Margarine Act, 1907.
Order as to Registration of Margarine Factories, 1887.
Do. do. do. 1900.
Order as to Registration of Butter Factories, etc., 1907.
Sale of Milk Regulations, 1901.
Sale of Butter Regulations, 1902.
Milk (Sale of) Regulations, 1912.
Milk and Cream Regulations, 1912.
Notwithstanding these enactments adulteration is still practised largely,
although it is of a different character from that of the olden days; and it
consists either of substitution (as in the case of margarine for butter), or the
addition of chemicals to improve the appearance of the food (as in the case of
confectionery and bottled vegetables), or to preserve it (as in the case of
sausages and non-alcoholic wines). There is no longer to be found the gross
and often crude adulterations which the two previous generations knew
so well.
The Medical Officer of Health has collected from the pages of one
journal, published during 1913, particulars as to the nature of the adulteration
of food and drugs as revealed in the Police Courts of England last year.
They are as follows:—