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108
BUTTER.—One hundred and twenty-four samples of
butter were submitted, 25 of which were test samples.
Of the 99 samples submitted officially, 12, or 12.12 per
cent., were adulterated, compared with 7.69 per cent. in 1905.
With the exception of one, all the samples of butter were
taken with the aid of an assistant.
COCOA.—In September your Committee ordered proceedings
against the vendor of adulterated Sample of Cocoa No. 342.
The analysis of this sample was as follows
Cocoa (52 per cent., sugar 28 per cent., and starch 10 per
cent., showing that this was a mixture of cocoa, sugar and
starch, the two latter materials being of considerably less value
than the pure cocoa.
The case was heard at tbe Greenwich Police Court on
the 26th October, 1906. The defence submitted that it was
impossible to use cocoa in its natural state, and, in order that it
could be used for food, cocoa must be mixed with starch and
sugar. It is true that cocoa in its natural state is unpleasant, but
the only alteration permitted is the removal of the natural fat.
The ingredients added to this sample were obviously for the
purpose of adulteration, but the magistrate dismissed the case
by reason of there being no evidence before him of the standard
or legal composition of the substance known as cocoa.
This is an excellent illustration of the difficulties which
surround the administration of the Food and Drugs Acts, and it
seems absurd that where an article is found to be largely
adulterated, and the certificate of the analyst admitted to be
correct by the defence, that the action of those responsible for
the administration of the Acts should be rendered useless by an
unsupported statement, such as was made by the defendant's
solicitor in this case.