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179
Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
The adulteration of Groceries again shows a regrettable increase,
eight of the 52 samples submitted, or 15.3 per cent, being reported
adulterated, whereas in 1904 only 7.7 per cent, of adulteration was
detected. It will be observed that all the adulterations under this
heading were of Coffee.
During the year six samples of meats were examined, four of
bacon, one of black pudding, and one of potted beef. All of these
samples contained Boric Acid in minute quantities.
The following Table shows the number of Milk, Butter, Coffee
and other samples taken and submitted for analysis, and the number
and percentage of adulteration detected in each class. It also shows
the number of samples actually purchased by the Inspector and by
his various deputies, together with the adulteration detected and
the percentage in each case.

Of the total number of samples taken, 650 or 76 per cent, were
purchased by deputies. The work of detecting offenders in the
sophistication of food and the sale of such foods to the public becomes
more difficult each year, and were it not for the frequent use of
deputies, both male and female it would become almost an impossible
task.