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The following information is given with reference to the unsatisfactory samples:-
"It will be noticed that the number of samples procured in Ruislip is 50 less than in
the previous year. This reduction is in the number of milk samples, because for many years
past, bottled milk on retail sale has been of completely satisfactory quality and it is so
controlled through production and distribution that the days of its adulteration are virtually over.
Emphasis has been transferred to the sampling of raw milk in churns. Of the total of 227
samples procured in the year three only were found to be unsatisfactory. One of these was in
respect of milk for consumption by scholars at a school in South Ruislip. A one-third pint
bottle was found by the Public Analyst to contain mortar adhering to the base of the bottle.
The sellers were sent a letter of caution after investigation had shown that it was likely that
the mortar had been placed in the bottle while outside the control of the dairy, and that
subsequent washing had failed to dislodge it. The second of the samples found to be
unsatisfactory was a piece of cheese purchased by a resident in the district from a grocer's
shop. The purchaser had selected the cheese from a display marked "New Zealand", and
took it home. A small fly was later found to be embedded in the cheese. Enquiries showed
that it had been purchased by the grocer from agents of the New Zealand Dairy and
Marketing Board and that the fly must have been present in the cheese from the time it
was manufactured in New Zealand.
One of several samples of sausages procured from a retailer in the district was
found to contain sulphur dioxide, which is a preservative permitted in small quantities in
sausages, only if a notice is displayed in the shop, or the sausages are sold in a wrapper,
declaring the presence of preservative. Subsequent samples procured did not contain
preservative and no action was taken in respect of this isolated instance.
Some types of natural foods, notably cuts of meat; offal from different animals;
varieties of fruit (for example of apples); and varieties of fish (for example cod, haddock),
can be recognised on sight as correctly described.
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