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253
[1914
MILK AND CREAM REGULATIONS, 1912.
In view of the difficulty experienced in purchasing quantities of cream
sufficient for analysis after the division of the sample as required by the provisions
of the Sale of Food and Drugs Act, the Medical Officer of Health
gave instructions to Inspector Burrell to follow the course adopted in 1913
and to submit a number of samples to the Public Analyst without previous
division, the samples so treated being dealt with as informal samples.
Altogether, 12 samples of cream were submitted, six of which were purchased
as preserved creams containing boric acid not exceeding 0.5 per cent.,
and six as creams free from preservatives.
The Public Analyst reported against five of the latter as containing boric
acid in amounts varying from 0.03 to 0.5 per cent.
Official samples from the vendors thus infringing the Act were then purchased,
one of which was, however, sold as preserved cream containing boric
acid not exceeding 0.5 per cent., while five were purchased without any declaration
being made, and the Public Analyst subsequently reported that two of
them contained boric acid in quantities varying from 0.33 to 0.35 per cent. and
that three were genuine, while the sample sold as containing boric acid not
exceeding 0.5 per cent. showed boric acid present to the extent of 0.18 per cent.
These results, when taken together with those of 1913, seem to show that
there is a tendency on the part of vendors to infringe the Regulations when
selling small quantities of cream—the more usual amounts purchased—but to
avoid doing so when the larger amounts required for the division of the sample
are demanded.
In addition to the above samples of cream, seven samples of condensed
separated milk were also submitted to the Public Analyst under the Regulations,
all of which were certihed by him as complying with them. One sample,
however, was sold contrary to the provisions of the Sale of Food and Drugs
Acts, and as a result of the proceedings which followed the vendor was fined
£1, with £1 5s. costs.
The general results obtained are set forth in the following Table in the
manner prescribed by the Local Government Board in their circular letter of
October 27th, 1913:—