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§3. ADULTERATED FOOD.
Butter.—In the Annual Report for 1901, under §3 Adulterated Food, the
Regulations of the Board of Agriculture were que ted with regard to the
minimum standard quantity of milk-fat and milk solids other than milk-fats
permissible in milk, and with regard to the maximum quantity of water
permissible in butter. In July, 1903, the Board of Agriculture on account
of the loss of water found in samples of butter improperly kept or wrapped,
issued the following recommendations as to the sampling of butter.
(1) The quantity to be purchased should not be less than one pound,
except that it may be expedient to purchase only half-a pound in cases
where there is reason to believe that the object of the purchase would be
defeated if a greater quantity ice re demanded.
(2) The division of the sample into three parts should be made as equally
as possible, so that the portion reserved by the purchaser may be not
less than one-third of the whole. It is desirable that each portion
should consist of one piece only.
(3) The portions should not be wrapped in paper, but should be placed,
without pressure, in dry and clean screw-capped bottles in such
manner that the water present may be retained in the butter.
(1) The screw-capped bottle should be provided with a cork-lined metallic
lid. The mouth should be as nearly as possible the full width of the
bottle, and the cork lining of the lid should be firmly screwed down
against the edge of the bottle.
(5) The bottle, labelled with the necessary particulars, should be enclosed
in an envelope of stout paper, which should be secured with the
official seal.
(6) The reserved portion should be kept in a cool dark place pending its
production in Court in the event of proceedings being taken, and if
directed by the Court to be referred to the Commissioners of Inland
Revenue it should be carefully packed in order to ensure its safe
transmission to the Government Laboratory.