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147
14 of the samples purchased in the Borough in 1912 were not
satisfactory; and, therefore, the percentage of non-genuine
samples amounted to 9.0 per cent., a figure which is slightly
above that of the preceding year, when it was 8.3 per cent. The
figure for the whole country was 8.7 per cent. during the year
1911.
14.4 per cent. of the milk samples were unsatisfactory, as
against 10.7 per cent. during the preceding year; but in some cases
the deficiency below the legal limits was very slight. 30 per
cent. of the milk samples were purchased on Sundays. The
percentage of adulteration of milk for the whole country during
1911 was 11.9.
In London the percentage of Milk and Cream samples
reported against was 11.2 during 1911, as compared with
9.9 in 1910. Part of this increase may be due to a more
efficient administration of the Acts by Local Authorities.
It should, however, be added that many of the samples
purchased are below the quality of the average milk supply of
London, although they are a trifle above the low legal limits which
have been fixed.
Many of the samples purchased under the Sale of Food and
Drugs Acts have been obtained through the employment of a
deputy, for the sanitary inspectors are well known to tradesmen
and others.
All the samples of Milk, Butter, Cream, and Margarine were
tested for antiseptics, with the result that 9 of the samples of
Milk, 1 of Cream, and 2 of Margarine were found to contain
them. In no case was the amount sufficient to warrant a
prosecution, but in one or two instances the vendors were
cautioned.