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98 Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
917 Milks returned as Genuine.
Total Milk Solids 12.32%
Milk fat 3.56 %
Non-fatty solids 8.76%
Legally Genuine Milk.
11.50%
3.00%
8.50%
As will have been seen, in only five cases did the extraneous
water or deficiency in fat found exceed 4 per cent. One sample
was remarkable as containing practically half its volume of water.
The vendor of this sample is reported to have found it inadvisable
to trade in the Borough any more and we think it will
be agreed that this shows that he possesses discretion.
During the year an unusual form of adulteration was detected
in the case of a sample of powdered Jalap, which was found to
contain a quarter of its bulk of Maize Starch (Cornflour).
The sample of Medicinal Paraffin was brought to us because
of a complaint received from a ratepayer. This sample, on
analysis, proved to consist of a mixture of Glycerine and Rose
Water and there can be no doubt but that the vendor in this
instance had served the article in error as no pecuniary advantage
would be obtained by substitution. Fortunately no harm would
be done as a consequence of the carelessness.
Other informal samples were submitted at the request of
ratepayers, but in no case did we find that the articles contained
any deleterious ingredient.
It will be noted that in three cases informal samples submitted
as Lemonade proved to be nothing but water (coloured
in one sample).
These were taken by the Food Inspector during the Whitsun
holiday from itinerant vendors trading on the Commons, etc. ;
and we are informed that Sherbert is placed in the glass before
it is filled with the "Lemonade." It would be interesting to
know on how many occasions the Sherbert would be "forgotten"
especially when the customer was a young child.