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30
The Public Analyst (Mr. J. F. F. Rowland) comments, as follows, with regard
to various articles examined :—
Milk.—Of the 266 samples examined during the year 3 were adulterated. This
represents 1.13 per cent, as compared with 1.37 per cent, for 1929 and 0.625 per cent,
for 928.

The figures for 1925 and 1929 are given for the purpose of comparison.
The composition it will be noted varies but slightly from that of 1929 but the
variation, slight as it is, is of an adverse nature.

Metals in Foods.—During the year 1929 tin was found in certain makes of household
sugars. In 1930 the investigation was carried a step further and tin was
discovered in 6 samples of black treacle and in the only Demerara sugar taken,
the amounts ranging from 0.8 to 1.4 grains per pound. As six was the total number
of samples of treacle taken a hasty deduction might lead to the conclusion that every
sample of black treacle contains tin.
On the number examined this would be a too rash conclusion ; but that treacle
which is a by-product of the sugar industry, should be liable to contamination by
tin because tin compounds are used in the manufacture of certain classes of sugar,
makes it all the more urgent and important that the use of tin should be prohibited
in the manufacture of sugar.
Another by-product of the sugar industry is Rum and in the 3 samples of rum
taken tin was present in amounts which ranged from 0.26 to 0.5 grains per pint.
In accordance with the instructions of the Public Health Committee the
attention of the Ministry of Health was directed particularly to these findings of
the Public Analyst in the examinations of Sugar, Black Treacle, etc.
Butter.—One sample of butter was adulterated, 80 per cent, of its fat being fat
other than butter fat.
Cream Bun and Craem Eclair.—The "creams" of these two confectionery
products contained no butter fat.