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276
1908]
BUTTER AND MARGARINE.
199 samples of butter were submitted to the Public Analyst, of which 19,
or 9.5 per cent., were returned as adulterated, as compared with 6.2 per cent. in
1907, and 5.5 in 1906. Of margarine, 42 samples were purchased, 15, or 35.7
per cent. of which were sold contrary to the provisions of the Margarine Act, as
contrasted with 15.4 per cent in 1906, and 13.3 in 1907.
It is exceedingly difficult to detect persons who sell margarine as butter,
for, as pointed out in previous reports, the offenders are very careful not to
substitute margarine until they have made sure that the purchasers are regular
customers. It will be seen, therefore, that it entails many purchases by the
Inspector or his agent before it is at all likely that he will be handed margarine
for the butter he demanded. There is, however, an exception to this rule, and
that is if, instead of an adult, a child is sent to make the purchase, when it is
almost certain that, if the people are dealing fradulently in margarine, they will
palm off that article on him for butter, probably assuming that a child would not
be brought to the Police Court to give evidence.
In the first six months of last year 98 samples of butter were purchased,
of which 5, or 51 per cent., were margarine, while in the second six months,
during which Inspector Burrell purchased the samples, out of 101 butters, 14,
or 13.9 per cent., were margarine. Again, in the first six months of the year,
7 out of 22 margarines, or 31.8 per cent., were sold contrary to the provisions
of the Act, while in the second six months 12 out of 20, or 60.0 per cent., were
sold in this manner. These figures clearly denote that very serious frauds are
taking place in the butter and margarine trade, and indicate that the time has
arrived when some very drastic measures must be taken by the legislature to put
an end to them. The English Government have been very slow to adopt strong
measures with respect to the substitution of margarine for butter. Nevertheless,
it should in some way or other be earmarked so that it might be readily detected
by analysts, or that the method which is almost universal in America should
be introduced into England, namely, to sell it in its natural, uncoloured condition,
so that the public may see what they are buying. This is the practice
pursued in 29 of the United States, where also there are other drastic
measures enforced. Thus in 6 States the use of margarine in public
institutions is forbidden. In 1 State dealers must have a licence, and they must
also keep a record of its sales, and also it must not bear the name of any dairy,
cattle or words or symbols used in the butter trade. In 2 States it must not
bear the words "dairy" or "cream" in connection with it. In another State
it must be coloured pink. In 40 States it must be branded in a prescribed way.
In 12 States dealers must display a prescribed placard. In 5 States the delivery
waggons must be marked. In 10 States the dealers must verbally inform the