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Drugs.—Six samples were found not to comply with the standards of the British
Pharmacopoeia, but in no case did the circumstances warrant any action being taken beyond
that of cautioning the vendors. One prescription medicine was reported against and legal
proceedings were successfully instituted.
Spirits.—Of the 36 samples of spirits taken, 3 were certified to be slightly below the
minimum strength of 35 degrees under proof, and each of the vendors were cautioned.
Cream.—Twenty-six samples were procured and, with one exception, found genuine.
This exception was with reference to an informal and formal sample taken of fruit salad
with cream sold in carton, the fat of the "cream" being found to contain 95 per cent. of
fat not derived from milk. The vendor was prosecuted and a penalty inflicted. Of the
remaining samples, 19 were of ordinary cream which had an average fat content of 48.53
per cent., and five were of clotted cream with an average fat content of 59.16 per cent., all
being free from thickeners, boric acid and other preservatives. One sample of artificial
cream was taken and certified genuine.
Sausages.—Twenty-nine samples were purchased and in four cases were certified to
contain Sulphur Dioxide preservative without disclosure by label or notice, though the
amount found did not exceed the permissible limit. In each instance the vendor was
cautioned. None of the four samples of preserved sausages taken was reported against.
Public Health (Preservatives, etc., in Food) Regulations.—Contraventions of these regulations
were reported in connection with two different brands of Sauces. In one case 0.021 per
cent. of Crystallised Copper Sulphate was discovered and legal proceedings were instituted
both against the manufacturers and the vendor. On service of the summons, the manufacturers
immediately enquired into the origin of the prohibited colouring matter and
ascertained that it was due to defective copper pans in which the sauce was made. These
were forthwith replaced and full details of the steps taken to remedy the matter submitted to
this Authority. Application was accordingly made for the withdrawal of the summons,
which was granted on payment of three guineas costs.
The other brand of Sauce reported against contained 0.0069 per cent. of Crystallised
Copper Sulphate. The attention of the manufacturers was called to the matter, and on
investigation by them this was found also to arise from the boiling pans used. The manufacturers
immediately undertook remedial measures and so rendered further action unnecessary.
Seven samples of Sausage Preservative Powder were procured, each of which was
reported against as containing considerably less preservative than the amount stated in
the statutory declaration on the tin. The attention of the vendors and manufacturers was
called to the matter. In one case the labelling of the tin was not in accordance in several
respects with the requirements of the Regulations, and the manufacturers immediately
complied by reprinting the label.
EXAMINATION OF MILK.
Chemical.—Of the 263 samples of milk, all of which were procured formally, 11 were
certified as adulterated, giving a percentage of milk adulteration of 4.1, as compared with
5.1 for 1928.
Legal proceedings were instituted regarding eight samples and penalties imposed in five
cases, three being dismissed under the Probation of Offenders Act on payment of costs.
None of the samples taken on Sundays was reported against.
The following table shows the percentage of fat contained in each of the 263 samples
of milk examined. Nine of this number contained fat in amounts below the point which