View report page

118
Analytical Laboratory,
Town Hall, Paddinuton, W.
6th January, 1913.
A short review of the Analytical Work of the year 1912 may be
of interest.
A total of 506 articles have been analysed, comprising of Milk 280,
Butter 109, Lard 34, Cheese 20, Margarine 5, Coffee 24, Cocoa 17,
Drugs 6, Flour 4, Vinegar 4, Tripe 2, and Dripping 1.
It is a singular thing that throughout the whole year only one
article, milk, was found to be adulterated. Of this 12 samples jiroved
to be either watered or skimmed. Some of these samples were taken
from vendors not belonging to the Borough, who were selling milk on
the Heath on Bank Holidays.
Not one of the Butter samples was adulterated. To comply with
the taste for unsalted butter, almost all of the samples were preserved
by Boric Acid; though in no case was the amount above the legal
limit of half per cent. Only 5 samples were preserved solely by
common salt.
All of the articles of every kind were purchased under the strict
regulations of the Foods and Drugs Acts, none were taken informally.
A total of £12 10s. for fines and £4 5s. for costs was imposed.
The percentage of all articles adulterated in Hampstead was only
2j, while for London it is about 8 per cent. The figures for the other
Boroughs are not out yet, but I think it will be found that Hampstead
stands unrivalled for the purity of its food supply.
There is even an improvement this year with only 2⅓ per cent, of
adulterated samples over the previous year with its 3 per cent, of
samples not genuine.
ALF. W. STOKES, F.C.S., F.I.C.
Public Analyst.