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24
The Public Analyst (Mr. J.F.F. Rowland) comments, as follows, with
regard to various of the articles examined:—
"Milk.—273 samples were examined during the twelve months ending
December 31st, 1927, as compared with 233 taken during 1926. Of these 273
samples 8 were adulterated. This gives 2.93 as the percentage of adulterated
samples, a figure considerably in excess of the corresponding figure for 1926
(0.86%). Leaving out the adulterated samples the average composition of the
milks taken was as follows:—
Year. Sp: Gr: Total Solids. Fat. Solids not Fat.
1927 1031.3 12.29 3.59 8.70
1926 1031.6 12.60 3.67 8.93
"From a comparison with the figures obtained for 1926 we see that the
average composition of the milks has fallen off, giving a slightly lower value for
each of the main constituents.
"The cold, wet and inclement weather experienced during the year can in all
probability be held responsible for the poorer quality of the milk obtained.
"Butter.—Once more all samples proved free from adulteration. Under the
new regulations no preservative must be added so that butter and milk are alike
to be free from Borax or other preservative. This is most satisfactory considering
the part they play in the diet of old and young alike.
"Cream.—Last year attention was drawn to the unsatisfactory nature of
the tinned creams sold and to the fact that no standard is laid down for cream
in any of the forms in which it is sold. To-day the situation is the same as then
and further experience only confirms what was said at the time, viz.: that the
cream sold in tins is of such poor quality that they are better termed 'enriched
milks ' than cream.
"The loose creams examined during 1926 had an average fat value of
54.7%, whereas the figures for 1927 is 51.4%.
"The tinned creams also are even poorer than in 1926. The respective
figures being 28.87% of fat for 1926 and 25.6% for 1927. It is a peculiar
coincidence that the percentage fall is practically the same (3.3 and 3.2%) for
both the ordinary and for the tinned variety.
"When quantity, quality and price are taken into consideration the cost of
the tinned cream is almost exactly half as much again as for ordinary cream;
this, too, for an article of uncertain age.
"Apples.—Of the six samples of apples taken two were contaminated with
arsenic. This gives the somewhat alarming figure of 33.3% adulterated. However,
when we remember that in 1926 no fewer than 49 samples were examined and
not one was found to be contaminated, we may take it that the actual percentage
of contaminated samples is very small and further that the amount of contamination
when it does Occur is nearly always quite trifling.
"Peas.—Two cases of food poisoning caused suspicion to fall on some peas
that had been partaken of by the victims. The peas were examined most carefully
but no sign of any harmful ingredient was found.
"Tinned Tomatoes.—One sample of tinned tomatoes was brought specially
for examination for preservative. It contained 5.5 parts of Sulphur dioxide per
million."