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106
that in future action would be taken under the Sale of Food and
Drugs Acts in all instances where preservatives were reported in
milk. A copy of the circular addressed to the milk dealers is
appended.
Prosecutions in these cases would be greatly facilitated
if the addition of preservatives to milk could be prohibited by
statute. The fact that the Departmental Committee's recommendation
against the use of preservatives in milk have not
resulted in any measure which would legally prohibit their use
is frequently made a strong point for comment by the defence
when prosecutions in such cases are taken, and there still
remains the difficulty of the difference of expert opinion in
regard to the seriousness of such additions, together with the
costs which such prosecutions entail upon local authorities.
13th September, 1906.
"Dear Sir,
"I am directed to inform you that the Public Health
"Committee of this Council have had under consideration the
"question of the addition of preservatives to milk, and their
"attention has been called by the Local Government Board
"to the report of the Departmental Committee on Preservatives
"and Colouring matters in food, in which it is stated that the
"Committee, after hearing evidence from milk traders, con"cluded
that the addition of a preservative to milk was not
"necessary for the purpose of the milk trade, even in hot
"weather, or where the supply of so large a place as London
"was concerned, and they recommended that no preservatives
"should be added to milk.
"The Public Health Committee, after considering the
"matter, have directed me to inform milk traders in the
"Borough that summary proceedings will be taken under the
"Sale of Food and Drugs Acts in instances where preservatives
"are found upon analysis to have been added to milk.
"Yours faithfully,
"Edw. Wright,
"Town Clerk."