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Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
271
Of the 584 samples of butter analysed 44 samples were taken
officially, 17 or 38.6 per cent, were reported against, whereas of
those samples taken informally 57 or 10.5 per cent, were found
to be adulterated.
In 16 cases proceedings were instituted against the vendors
of the adulterated samples.
In one case, the vendor absconded before the summons was
served, and his whereabouts has not yet been traced.
In another case the vendor absconded after receiving a summons
and a warrant was issued for his arrest. The vendor was subse
qrently arrested and convicted, being fined £3 and 38s costs, or
one month's imprisonment.
In the remaining cases convictions were obtained and penalties
and costs amounting to £50 8s. od. imposed, compared with
£150 6f. fid. in 1912, and £113 4s. 9d. in 1911.
It is in connection with the substitution of margarine when
butter is asked for that the informal sampling is invaluable and is,
in my opinion, the only means of detecting and checking this
fraudulent method of trading.
It will be seen on reference to the following Table that in 1912
no less than 25.4 per cent, of the samples of butter analysed were
adulterated, this compared with 12.67 per cent, (the adulteration
detected for the year under review), shows how satisfactorily the
informal sampling has been, but there is still much more to be
done when we compare the present percentage of adulteration,
viz.:—12.67 with that for the whole of London, viz.:—8.4, and
that for the whole country, viz. :—6.
The following Table shows the number of butter samples
taken, the number found adulterated, and the percentage of
adulteration, together with the average adulteration for the years
1903-1912 compared with the year under review,