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282 Report of the Mediccd Officer of Health,
The nature and
extent of the
adulteration reported.
As regards the milk samples, the greatest adulteration in
respect of extraneous water occurred in the case
of formal sample No. 844, where it amounted to
55 per cent. The greatest deficiency in milk fat occurred in the
case of formal sample No. 307 where it amounted to no less than
97 per cent. Formal samples Nos. 64, 779, 310, 340, and 308
followed closely with a milk fat deficiency of 92, 92, 80, 80, and
78 per cent. respectively. Sample No. 310 further contained
extraneous water to the extent of 16 per cent.
Of the creams purchased as "fresh" 23 samples of the 41
samples submitted were found to contain a boron preservative.
The amounts present, expressed in terms of crystall ised boric acid,
ranged from 0.57 per cent. in the case of formal sample No. 141,
to 0.15 per cent. in the case of both formal sample No. 156 and
formal sample No. 786.
Of the creams purchased as "preserved," all 18 samples were
found to contain a boron preservative, ranging from 0.50 per cent.
boric acid in the case of formal sample No. 754, to 0.04 per cent. in
the case of informal sample No. 1380.
The details of all adulterated samp es grouped under th is
heading are given in Table C.
The presence of
preservatives.
All milks were systematically examined for the presence of
preservatives, but in two instances only were
positive results obtained: a sample of Separated
Milk (formal sample No. 42), and one of Skim Milk (formal sample
No. 397) being found to contain a small amount of a boron preservative.
The negative results obtained in the case of all other
samples must be regarded as highly sat isfactory, and the following
Table, showing the number of samples found to contain a preservative
in th is and the two preceding years, clearly indicates that
the many alarm ist statements made concerning the constant
"drugging " of th is important article of diet are not founded on
fact; at any rate, as regards the milk supply of the Borough.
Total No. of examples No. found to contain
Year. Percentage.
examined. a preservative.
1911 586 4 0.68
1912 727 6 0.82
1913 798 2 0.25