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Samples taken under the Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act, 1926 (under which
the Chemist-in-Chief is the Official Agricultural Analyst for the County), were
examined as to whether they complied with the statutory statement of ingredients
which is required to be given with every sale and also (in the case of feeding stuffs)
as to their freedom from deleterious substances. A number was reported upon
adversely; for example, the free lime contents of some garden lime samples were
deficient, apparently owing to the absorption of carbon dioxide and water from the
air through the paper packets.
Many samples were also examined under the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act,
1928, the London Building Act (1930), and the Explosives Acts. Those in
connection with the first were in relation to the issue of licenses for the storage of
petroleum: in regard to the second this question was generally as to whether the
process in operation constituted a dangerous business and the actual sites were
visited in such cases: the Explosives Act samples were concerned with the
manufacture of indoor fireworks.
Many samples of bread were analysed under the Bread (Control and Maximum
Prices) Order, 1947, to determine whether the short weight supplied was due to the
bread being either "fancy bread" or "protein fortified." In some cases where
this was not so, legal proceedings were attended by an officer of the Chemical
Branch to support the certificate given. Premises of degreasers and rubber
spreading works operating under licence were visted periodically and samples of
the atmosphere in the machines were taken for subsequent analysis to ensure that
the safety regulations regarding the limitations of inflammable gases, derived from
volatile solvents, were being duly observed.
Chemical analyses and bacteriological examinations of the water of swimming
baths were made and the chlorine dosage being applied for sterilisation purposes
was checked, recommendations for any necessary alteration of procedure being made
as required. During the bathing season the water used in the Council's public
swimming baths is chemically treated, filtered and chlorinated and, at the majority
of the baths, the so-called "breakpoint" system of chlorination is used. The water
of natural ponds used for bathing was also tested. Samples of soil were analysed as
to their content of plant nutrient substances.
The materials examined for this service covered a very wide field. Foods of all
types formed a considerable proportion of the total: they were examined (a) to
allocate contracts (b) to check the quality of deliveries and (c) to investigate
complaints. In assessing samples under class (a) the principle of obtaining the best
value for money is paramount. Generally in 1949 a high standard of quality was
maintained and few complaints were found to be justified. The need for continued
examination was, however, emphasised by the low standard of quality of
some of the samples tendered — but not accepted: for example, gelatine,
flavouring essences, ice cream, etc.
Canned foods were carefully watched, particularly in regard to the corrosion of
the containers and the tin (metal salt) content of the food. Many samples of liquid
milk were examined and also dried milk, the latter particularly in regard to the
acid value and the possibility of curdling dishes in the preparation of which it
might be used.
Many proprietary substances were submitted for analysis, and report was
made as to whether the makers' claims for them were justifiable: for example, a
"meat tenderiser," and materials for cake making. In the latter a gum was
generally incorporated instead of egg albumen with, of course, a lessening of food
value: the provisions of the Foods (Labelling) Order were borne in mind in such
cases. Some tendered samples of ice cream were again very low in fat content
which is of importance when this material is used as the sweet course of a meal.
10 per cent. is desirable and below 8 per cent. is considered definitely unsatisfactory.
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