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92
Public Analyst's Annual Report, 1913.
During the year 1,263 samples were submitted by the Inspectors of the
Department for examination under the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts, consisting
of :— 906 Milks, 9 Separated Milks, 2 Skimmed Milks, 187 Butters, 3 Milk-blended
Butters, 4 Canned Creams, 7 Fresh Creams, 12 Preserved Creams, 4 Lards,
8 Margarines, 12 Cocoas, 11 Coffees, 14 Mustards, 35 Peppers. 13 Pearl
Barleys, 5 Flours, 1 Rice, 3 Jams, 1 Wine, 2 Blaud's Pills, 1 Glycerine, 1 Lime
Water, 1 Liquorice Extract, 6 Liquorice Powders, 2 Olive Oils, 10 Saffrons, 3 Milk
of Sulphurs.
146 samples, or 116 per cent., were found to be adulterated. These consisted
of:—101 Milks, 1 Skimmed Milk, 27 Butters, 5 Cocoas, 1 Pearl Barley, 1 Blaud's
Pills, 1 Glycerine, 1 Lime Water, 6 Saffrons, 2 Milk of Sulphurs.
Proceedings were taken in 79 cases.
The total fines secured on the prosecutions was £529 13s. and £83 10s. 6d. was
allowed in costs.
The average fine secured on the prosecutions was £6 14s. 1d.
There were also 2 prosecutions for obstructing the Inspector, resulting in £40
fines and 25s. costs, and 2 prosecutions for infringement of the Margarine Acts,
resulting in £1 10s. fines and £2 6s. costs.
Sunday Samples.
111 Samples were obtained on 21 Sundays, 110 Milks and 1 Butter; 16 Milks
were adulterated, and 8 prosecutions followed. The adulteration of Sunday samples
was at the rate of 144 per cent.
Unofficial Samples.
281 Samples purchased informally by the Inspectors were examined. These
consisted of:—25 Milks, 240 Butters, 1 Cream, 2 Margarines, 2 Cheeses, 3 Cocoas,
1 Flour, 1 Tapioca, 1 Pepper, 5 Drugs. Of these, 89 Samples, or 31'6 per cent.
were adulterated—9 Milks, 76 Butters, 2 Cocoas, 2 Drugs.
71 Samples were examined for the General Public, consisting of: —
59 Milks, 3 Milk Powders, 6 Butters, 1 Cream, 1 Cheese 1 Lemonade. Of these,
11 Samples, or 15'5 per cent., were adulterated, 11 Milks.
All Samples of Milk, Butter, and Cream were tested lor Preservatives. 1 Milk
contained Formalin, 29 Butters contained small quantities of Boron Preservative.