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51
Five margarines were also examined and were reported
genuine.
Cocoa and Coffee.—Nineteen specimens of cocoa and 9 of
coffee were all passed as genuine. Arsenic was specially tested
for in the cocoas, but with negative results.
Meat and Fish Preparations.-Two samples of meat and
fish pastes, 1 of prawns, and 1 of herrings in tomato sauce
were examined during the year and in no case could preservatives
be found. The specimen of herrings in tomato
sauce was commendably free from traces of tin.
Jam and Marmalade.—Four jams and 2 marmalades were
returned as genuine. Tests for metallic contamination and
for traces of arsenic gave negative results.
Lemon Cheese.—The single specimen of this article
analysed was found to be genuine. During the last few years
there has been a large increase in the consumption of lemon
cheese by the public. Originally it consisted of lemon, eggs,
butter and sugar, whilst nowadays it is frequently prepared
from oil of lemon, margarine substituted for butter, glucose
in the place of sugar, with eggs practically absent. Preservatives,
which are certainly undesirable, are also frequently
present. Although there is no legal standard for this article
of food, the matter is under discussion at the present time.
Desiccated Coconut.—Three samples were submitted for
examination and were found to be of genuine quality, none
of them containing added sugar, which had been found us
an adulterant on a previous occasion.
Rice.—Four samples of rice were examined with a view to
ascertaining whether or no they had been " polished " by
talc, and, if so, whether the amount retained by the grains
was an excessive amount.
Two samples were found to be unpolished, whilst the
remaining 2 showed a small amount of added siliceous
matter, not exceeding the limit of 0.5 per cent.
Lime Juice Cordial, etc.—All the three samples of this
article were found to contain preservative and were therefore