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The Laboratory.
SALE OF FOOD AND DRUGS ACTS.
There have been a large number of samples analysed
during the quarter, of which a tabular statement is to be
found at page 12.
ARSENIC IN BEER.
Of the 54 samples analysed specially with regard to
arsenic, all were arsenic-free This appears to be the
common experience of analysts in the Metropolis. The
writer has not heard of a single case in the Metropolitan
area of arsenical contamination of beer.
The unfortunate occurrence of the use of an arsenical
glucose for brewing purposes produced illness in only
well-defined localities, and happily the contaminated certain
product did not find its way into the London area.
MILK.
Only two samples of milk were certified to be
adulterated. Rosina Klumb, 10 Charlton Street, was fined
40s. with 12s. 6d. costs, for selling milk deficient in milk
fat 13 per cent. William Copar, of 14 Sherborne Place,
was fined £3 and 23s. costs, for selling milk adulterated
with 21 per cent, of water.
A Parliamentary Committee* have recently issued a
Report recommending that the standard for milk fat be
raised to 3.25 per cent. At present there is no standard
fixed by law, but only a general agreement among
analysts that there should be a presumption of abstraction,
if the milk fat fall below 3 per cent. Should the proposal
be adopted by the legislature, it is interesting to
enquire how far the milk supply of the Borough conforms
at present to such a standard. I have therefore tabulated
100 consecutive analyses of milks bought under the Act in
St. Marylebone with the following result: 1 or 1 per cent.
♦Report of the Departmental Committee appointed by the Board of Agriculture on regulations
desirable to be made, under Section 4 of the Sale of Food and Drugs Act, 1899, for milk and cream, 1901.
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