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129
Public Analyst's Annual Report.
During the year 1902, 1,187 samples were examined under the Sale of Food
and Drugs Acts, consisting of 550 Milks, 209 Butters, 9 Cheeses, 3 Margarines, 6
Lards, 1 Tea, 71 Coffees, 2 Chicories, 7 Cocoas, 4 Breads, 4 Flours, 13 Oatmeals,
4 Ground Rices, 1 Sago, 3 Cornflours, 1 Baking Powder, 86 Peppers, 74 Mustards,
6 Vinegars, 8 Ground Gingers, 1 Brandy, 5 Gins, 3 Rums, 20 Whiskies, 4 Porters,
60 Demerara Sugars, 5 Sweetmeats, 1 Olive Oil, 2 Castor Oils, 5 Camphorated Oils,
2 Sweet Spirits of Nitre, 3 Milk of Sulphurs, 11 Crushed Linseeds, 1 Powdered
Rhubarb, 2 Cream of Tartars.
260 samples, or 21.9 per cent., were found to be adulterated, as compared with
15 4 per cent, in the preceding year. These consisted of 167 Milks, 45 Butters,
4 Coffees, 3 Cocoas, 1 Sago, 1 Pepper, 5 Mustards, 1 Ground Ginger, 7 Whiskies,
1 Vinegar, 24 Demerara Sugars, 1 Sweet Spirit of Nitre.
Proceedings were taken in 118 cases, 113 of which were successful; one summons
was withdrawn; one was adjourned "sine die"; and three were dismissed.
One was dismissed owing to em informality in the purchase; in one case the defendant
produced a warranty, the other case was referred to Somerset House, and as
their figures did not agree with the official certificate, and the certificate of the
defendant's analyst, the case was dismissed.
In four cases of Spirits the vendors displayed a notice to the effect that the
Spirits were diluted, consequently no action was taken.
No action was taken in two cases where Margarine was supplied for Butter,
owing to informality of purchase.
No action was taken in a Mustard which contained a small quantity of Starch,
the adulteration probably being accidental.
Five samples of Milk were examined unofficially; one was 7 per cent, deficient
in Milk Fat, two contained 9 and 4 per cent, respectively of added water, and two
were genuine.
The samples of Porter were specially tested for arsenic. None was detected.