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Report of the Medical Officer of Health. 297
The examination
of samples of
Self-raising Flour
and Baking
Powder for the
presence of
Calcium Sulphate.
Continuing the practice of the two preceding years, samples
of Self-raising Flour and Baking Powder were again
submitted for examination, more especially with
reference to the presence or absence of Calcium
Sulphate. It is satisfactory to record that no
exception in this respect could be taken to any one
of the samples of Self-raising Flour, and that of
the Baking Powders two only, (one formal and one
informal sample, both drawn from the same source), contained this
impurity in excess of the limit recommended as permissible.
Bice.
Fourteen samples of Rice were submitted during the year. Of
these 10 were found to be "faced," but in no case
was the suggested limit of 0.5 per cent. of extraneous
mineral matter exceeded. The average contents in the 10 samples
proved to be 0.33 per cent. the quantities ranging from 0.20 per
cent. in the lowest to 0.45 per cent. in the highest.
Vinegar.
Thirty-two samples of Vinegar in all were examined and
reported on. Eighteen of these were found to
possess an acid strength of less than 4 per cent. of
acetic acid, the deficiency in this respect varying from 43 per cent.
to 5 per cent. of the above-mentioned standard.
Dried Fruits.
Eighteen samples of Dried Fruits, (Raisins, Currants and
Sultanas), and 6 samples of Candied Fruits were
specially submitted and examined as to the possibility
of contamination with traces of arsenic and copper; but in
no instance was such contamination detected.
Drugs.
The total number of Drugs submitted during the year amounted
to 77, a marked increase in numbers over previous
years. The 77 samples, (described in detail in
Table B), represented 22 varieties, of which four only presented cases
of adulteration or departure from standard. Complete details
concerning these latter samples are given in Table F.