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117
The extremes of sophistication in the case of milk were, in respect of added water,
2 to 21 per cent. and of fat abstraction, 11 to 33 per cent. The tine imposed in
the case which showed the highest percentage of added water was one of £3 and
17s. 6d. costs, the vendor of the highest percentage of fat abstracted escaped by proving
a warranty.
The highest fine for adulterated milk was one of £10 and £5 5s, costs, inflicted
on a farmer for sending milk to London containing 11 per cent. of added water.
Six samples of milk were taken in coarse of delivery. Four of this number were
obtained at the Railway Station on arrival from the country, and two, as they were being
left at retailers' shops by wholesale dealers. Of these, three were returned as "Genuine"
by the Public Analyst, and three (all Railway Station samples) were found wanting.
The extent of adulteration in these three cases was 2 per cent., 11 per cent. and 8 per cent.
added water respectively—in the first instance the vendor of the sample was cautioned,
in the second the vendor was fined £10 and £5 5s. costs, and in the remaining case
the defendant's son and an employe stated on oath that the milk was despatched from
the local Railway Station in the same condition as given by the cow, and the case was
dismissed by the presiding Alderman.
In only one instance has the presence of any preservative been detected in the
samples of milk submitted to the Public Analyst, and in this case Boric Acid was
present to the extent of 0.04 per cent. A further sample of milk was obtained at the shop
at which this sample had been purchased, and on analysis, was found to be free
from preservative.
In no case has formalin as a preservative ever been found in the City milk supply,
and only two previous cases of boric acid having been used for this purpose have been
recorded—these occurred in 1911 ; it will, therefore, be apparent that this form of
tampering with milk is practically non-existent as far as the City of London is
concerned.
The extent of adulteration of six milks which were purchased at shops and
refreshment rooms, was as follows:—
6 per cent. added water, vendor fined £l and 17s. 6d. costs; 21 per cent, added
water, vendor fined £3 and 17s. 6d. costs; 11 per cent. fat abstracted, the vendor fined
2s. 6d. and 17s. 6d. costs; 11 per cent. fat abstracted, the vendor was cautioned; 0.04
Boric Acid present, no action taken; and 33 per cent. fat abstracted, the vendor
successfully pleaded warranty.
BUTTER.
404 Samples of Butter were taken, of which, 5 or 1.2 per cent. were certified as
as being adulterated.