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Ground, Ginger.—A sample of ground ginger was found to yield only 8 per cent.
of water-soluble extractive and 1.1 per cent. of water-soluble ash compared with
average figures of 14 and 2.8 per cent. respectively; these figures are abnormally
low and, in the absence of any foreign ingredient, indicated that the ginger had
been partly exhausted by water.
The presumption was therefore raised that the ginger might consist of or might
contain waste ginger, as for example, from a ginger ale manufacturer; but in view
of some information that certain consignments of ginger from Nigeria had given
low figures for water-soluble constituents when imported, enquiries were made by
the sampling officer as to the source of this ginger, before considering a prosecution.
Eventually, with the help of the London Wholesale Spice and Rice Dealers'
Association, the actual importers were traced and it was found that the ginger
was originally part of a consignment which had in fact been imported from Nigeria
about three years ago.
The matter was then taken up with the Colonial Empire Marketing Board and
it was found that an extensive investigation was being carried out by the Imperial
Institute in collaboration with the Director of Agriculture in Nigeria regarding the
causes of this deficiency.
The investigation revealed quite clearly that there was nothing inherently
deficient in West African ginger as grown, but that in its preparation for market
a practice of prolonging the soaking and bleaching of the rhizomes had grown
amongst the natives, in order to meet the demand in the trade for a nearly white
ginger.
With the cause of the deficiency revealed, active steps could be taken to avoid
it and the information that progressive improvements have occurred in the 1937
and 1938 crops compared with those of 1935 and 1936 indicates that the propaganda
undertaken by the Department of Agriculture among the growers has taken
effect.
I am informed that the dealers in this country are now well aware of the position
and that a careful watch is being kept on West African supplies; and, with regard
to the stocks of deficient ginger already purchased, that as far as practicable these have
been withdrawn for re-export or for use where water-soluble constituents are unnecessary.
In these circumstances, and as no question of fraud or injury to health
arises, no legal action was recommended in connection with the sample analysed.
In the foregoing remarks, much of the information regarding action taken,
etc., has been kindly furnished by the Inspectors, and I beg to acknowledge with
thanks their general co-operation."