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Milk.—313 samples of milk were examined during the year, and of these 8
were found to be adulterated. This represents a percentage of 2.56%, as compared
with 2.18% for 1923, and with 3.36% for 1922. The worst example of
adulteration during 1924 was one having a deficiency of 40% of milk fat. During
1923 the worst was 13.3% deficient in fat, but 1922 provided one instance of a
43.3% deficiency in fat combined with 15.5% of added water.
Taking all these points into consideration, it is seen that the figure for the
number of samples adulterated has increased slightly as compared with 1923, and
that for 1923 the average deficiency of fat in the adulterated samples was 8.66%,
as compared with 14% for 1924. Again, omitting the adulterated samples, the
mean composition of the remaining samples taken during 1924 shows that practically
no change in average quality has taken place, the figures for the respective
years being :
Sp. Gr
Total Solids.
Fat.
Solids (not fat).
1924 1031 33 12.42 3.70 8.72
1923 1031 12.36 3.71 8.65
Butter.—5 samples of butter were found to consist of margarine. This number,
out of a total of 215 examined, represents a percentage of 2.33 adulterated.
Margarine.—42 samples were examined, and none were found to be adulterated.
Cream.—28 samples were taken. These were all genuine, and only contained
preservative when such fact was mentioned on the label. In every instance the
preservative found was of the nature stated on the label and of less amount than
that allowed legally.
Sugar.—Of the 12 samples of ordinary sugar examined one contained 1.1
grains of tin per lb. The Ministry of Health investigated the case and confirmed
the presence of tin, their particular sample yielding 1.0 grain of tin per lb.
Tin salts were used previously in the manufacture of sugar, but the practice
was believed to be obsolete, as the manufacturers had undertaken to cease using
such an undesirable substance. This instance of the presence of tin is disquieting,
indicating as it does that the metal is still finding its way into a substance
of universal consumption, used largely by old and young alike.
Beer.—One sample was examined and found to be contaminated by a small
quantity of phenol (carbolic acid).
Preserving Sugar.—Many of the 10 samples taken were somewhat dirty, and
contained fibres and particles of wood.
Whisky.—Of the six samples examined one was 36.59% underproof. This
represents a sample containing 97.7 parts of whisky of 35 degrees underproof and
2.3 parts of water, a state so near the border line of the legal standard that
evaporation of spirit may possibly account for the deficiency.
Tinned Peas.—Several of the seven samples taken contained small quantities
of copper, but in each instance the amount was less than the quantity notified on
the label.
Tin was not found in any one of the samples examined, but one sample
contained well marked traces of lead, the amount being 0.002%.
Orange Wine.—The one sample of orange wine taken was found to contain
1.7% of alcohol.