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125
Informal Sample.
A complaint was received that the proprietor of a provision shop
was systematically supplying margarine instead of butter ; consequently
the inspector directed his agent to purchase some butter (sample
No. 482) at the shop without disclosing the purpose for which it was
required. Upon analysis this was found to contain 88 per cent. of
foreign fat and to be margarine. As the formalities required by the
Sale of Food and Drugs Act had not been observed, no proceedings
could follow. A second sample (No. 506) was, therefore, purchased, and
this time the necessary declaration was made. This sample was found
to be identical with the previous one; and the vendor was summoned
and fined £10, with 14s. 6d. costs.
Warranty Defence.
Proceedings necessitated in regard to the adulteration of milk were
dismissed in 6 instances, owing to the vendor successfully proving a
warranty. It is a matter for sincere regret that Parliament has been
unable to find the time necessary to deal with this very important
question. A provision in the Act, enabling the vendor to summon
before the Court at the time of hearing any person whom he alleges to
be the person responsible for the adulteration would provide ample
protection for the innocent trader; but under the existing state of affairs
everybody's interests are studied except those of the consumer, who has
been served with an adulterated article, for which a proper price has
been paid ; and he apparently has no redress.
Samples of Food taken in Course of Delivery.
The Sale of Food and Drugs Act contains a very important
provision in regard to the taking of samples in course of delivery. It is
frequently alleged that some tradesmen who sell only genuine articles in
their shops, make a practice of delivering to order goods which are not
of the nature, substance and quality demanded by the purchaser. A
suggestion was made in a newspaper that there was need for the
formation of a Society to enable any persons who suspected the quality
of food supplied by their tradesmen to have it analysed; but I would
point out that there is no need for such an organisation, as any
person who chooses to request the Inspector to sample any of the food
delivered by his tradesmen is entitled to have this done, without any cost
to himself, and I should be pleased to hear at any time from residents in
the Borough who suspect the quality of food supplied to them.