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117
REPORT OF THE PUBLIC ANALYST
FOR THE
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31st, 1903.
SAMPLES SUBMITED.—During the period under review
451 samples purchased in conformity with the Food and Drugs
Acts were submitted to me for analysis, compared with 458 in the
previous year.
ADULTERATED SAMPLES.—Of the total number of
samples submitted, 61 were found adulterated, equivalent to 13'5
per cent, in 1902, compared with 15 per cent., an improvement
to the extent of 1.5 per cent, over the previous year's work,
a smaller reduction in the practice of adulteration than one
hoped for.
The work of 1902, apparently had good effect in reducing
the percentage of adulterated samples. During the third quarter
of 1903, however, there was a marked rise. (See Table C.)
Although the percentage of adulterations for the year
1903 is only slightly below that of 1902, it is important to note
that your Council only deemed it expedient to order prosecutions
in 30.1 per cent, of the adulterated samples compared with 49.1
per cent, in 1902, the vendors of other adulterated samples receiving
a caution. The particulars of all adulterated samples
are fully set out in Tables E. and I.