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103
for analysis it was found that the sauce contained less than 10 per cent, of
beetroot, the whole being dyed the requisite colour. (Horse radish contains
much starch, beetroot is free from starch.)
Public Health Department.—92 samples submitted by the Public Health
Department comprised the following:—
Preservatives—
33 samples were examined for the presence of preservative. Of these,
32 samples either contained less preservative than the amount permitted
by the Regulations or were free from preservative. These satisfactory
samples consisted of: Sultanas (23), raisins (7), and tinned apricots (2).
One sample of sultanas containing 768 parts sulphur dioxide per
million was unsatisfactory.
3 samples of pickling liquid and 2 samples of "rollmops" (bottled
herring) were examined for hydrogen peroxide; hydrogen peroxide was
present in 1 sample of pickling liquid. The examination of these samples
followed a complaint from a packer that he could not sell his " rollmops "
as his competitors had a whiter product which he said was artificially
produced. The sliced herrings are dipped in a pickling liquid containing
hydrogen peroxide and when sufficiently bleached, drained, and bottled
in a liquid free from hydrogen peroxide. The bleaching agent could
not therefore be detected in the finished product. (In a recent report
from Western Australia it was stated that tripe had been examined which
had been bleached and " plumpsd " with sodium peroxide solution forming
a whiter product and increasing the weight so that 20 lbs. of tripe
produced at least 25 lbs. after treatment.)
Fit for Food—
21 samples examined with regard to their fitness for human consumption
were:—
Unsatisfactory Samples: Machine Skimmed Condensed Milk (6),
Evaporated Milk (3), Rolled Oats (foreign origin), and Sage.
Satisfactory Samples: Seedless Raisins (2 , Macaroni Sticks (2),
Rolled Oats (2), Macaroni Shapes, Evaporated Milk, Greek Olives and Tea.
The sample of tea referred to was analysed owing to a complaint
that the tea contained glass and dust. The label stated "This tea is not
dust but a small-leaf tea out of the best teas and specially blended for
Miscellaneous
Samples