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law. The importance of attention to detail cannot be overestimated
for failure to observe any of the rules laid down may well lead to an;
ensuing legal proceedings being dismissed by a Court on technical
grounds.
Samples may be taken formally or informally, but, in the interest
of the public, formal sampling is to be preferred. Any adulteration of
foods and drugs discovered by informal sampling cannot be followed
by legal proceedings.
Of the 132 samples obtained by the sampling officers during
1950 only 14 were obtained informally, and these were all returned as
genuine. It is indeed very rare for sampling authorities to obtain
adulterated samples in these days, whereas twenty to thirty years ago
wilful adulteration was consistently brought to light. This statement
does not refer to Beckenham particularly but to the country as a whole.
The article most sampled, following usual custom, was milk.
Sixty formal samples were obtained, and no instance of wilful adulteration
was discovered. One wonders whether it is necessary in Beckenham
to maintain such frequent sampling of milk supplies. At one time,
of course, it was the food most commonly adulterated. The vast majority
of milk now consumed in Beckenham is delivered in sealed containers,
and with the greatly improved conduct of the industry the adulteration
of such milk is unlikely. On the other hand we do receive queries from
some residents who feel that some tampering has taken place. Our
regular sampling enables us satisfactorily to answer these statements.
The procedure for formal sampling is very fair to all concerned.
Each formal sample obtained is immediately divided into three parts,
in or at the place of sampling, be that in shop premises or in the open
street. Each "third" is placed into a container in the presence of the
vendor, and officially sealed, and stamped for identification. One part
is returned to the vendor, another is submitted to the Public Analyst,
and the remaining part retained by the sampling officer, who is required
to produce that part in the event of proceedings ensuing. If desired,
this part of the sample may subsequently be submitted to a Government
Analyst. The officer is required to make a statutory declaration of his
intention to submit the sample for analysis, and he must on no account
leave the shop or place of taking the sample until all these formalities
are fulfilled.
Of the other samples taken (a list is appended) a sample of sausages
was returned as inferior by the Analyst. On his advice, however, no
legal proceedings were commenced against the vendor. The meat
content of the sausages was not quite up to standard in quantity, but the
Analyst submitted that the deficit was not sufficiently removed from
"toleration point" to justify action.
A sample of curry powder was found to contain fifteen parts
per million of lead, whereas the statutory maximum is ten parts per
million. Again the Analyst submitted that legal action was not called
for, and a letter was sent to the manufacturers, calling attention to
matter, and certain stocks were withdrawn.
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