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General Observations.—The percentage rate of adulteration of all foods and drugs sampled
in the City was 2.4, as compared with 4.2 in 1927.
Drugs.—A total of 128 samples of drugs were procured during the year under review.
Six samples were found not to comply with the standards of the British Pharmacopoeia.
There were two prosecutions (informal samples having been previously reported against),
and in each case the vendors were fined. In two other cases, when the formal sample was
procured, the article was served in accordance with the British Pharmacopoeia requirements.
Butter.—During the year, 78 samples of butter (33 of which were served with bread or
scone) were taken and, with one exception, all were certified genuine. The Public Health
(Preservatives, etc., in Food) Regulations came into force on the 1st January, 1928, so far
as they relate to butter, not including preserved butter contained in another article of food.
The sample reported against, and which was certified to contain 0.07 per cent. Boric Acid,
was purchased informally shortly after this date. A formal sample was immediately pur
chased from the same vendor and certified to be genuine. Enquiries made at the time of
sampling showed that the informal sample had been served from a small balance of stock of
butter containing preservative which had not been disposed of before the Regulations came
into force.
Spirits.—Of the 29 samples of Spirits taken, only one was found to be below the statutory
minimum strength of 35 degrees under proof. The vendor was prosecuted and a fine inflicted.
Sausages.—Twenty-nine samples of Sausages and two of Sausages labelled as containing
preservative were taken, and, with one exception, were found to be genuine. In this case
the informal sample was certified to contain 200 parts per million Sulphur Dioxide, although
the sausages were not labelled or a notice exhibited in the shop as required by the Public
Health (Preservatives, etc., in Food) Regulations. A formal sample was immediately procured
from the same vendor, and also one from the manufacturers, but neither sample disclosed
preservative to be present.
Four colourings and six preservative powders for sausages were obtained for examination.
One of the latter was reported not to contain the amount mentioned in the statutory declaration
on the tin, and the printing also was not in accordance with the requirements of the
Regulations. The vendors were communicated with and cautioned.
Cream.—Twenty samples of Cream were procured and all were certified to be genuine,
thickeners, Boric Acid and other preservatives being absent.
Sixteen of these samples were ordinary cream and four were clotted cream, the fat
contents of the former ranging from 23.6 per cent. to 54.0 per cent., giving an average
content of 43.0 per cent. The average fat content of the clotted cream samples was 60.7
per cent.
supervised and registered premises.
Wholesale Dealers in Margarine and Margarine Cheese.—No new applications for registrations
were received during the year.
the milk and dairies order, 1926, and
the milk and dairies (amendment) act, 1922.
Sixteen new applications for registration as retail purveyors of milk were received during
the year, fifteen of which were approved. One application was refused registration, after
the applicant had appeared before the Sanitary Committee, as the conditions existing at
the premises were very unsatisfactory. No appeal was made from this decision.
During the year it was decided that, by the Milk and Dairies Order, 1926, a person,
even though he occupies no premises within the district of the Sanitary Authority, must
yet be registered if he wishes to carry on in the district the trade of purveyor of milk. Accordingly,
all such persons, when found to be distributing milk within the City area, have been
required to be registered with this Authority.
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