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50
FOOD AND DRUGS ACT 1938.
Adulteration. During the year, 110 samples of food were submitted
to the Public Analyst for examination. It is customary
in this Borough to obtain samples in an informal manner in the
first instance, and to follow up with a formal sample should
an adverse report be received in respect of an informal sample.
Much time and unnecessary labour and expense are avoided by this
procedure, but in special cases, as, for Instance, when a particular
doubtful consignment is thought unlikely to be available for
more than a short time, a formal sample is taken immediately„ It
will be appreciated that in order to administer the adulteration
sections of the Act successfully, an element of surprise is
essential. For this reason sampling is carried out at irregular
periods and generally informal samples are purchased by an agent,
the retailer not being aware that the foodstuff is to be examined.
In the case of formal samples, the article purchased has to be
divided into three parts in the presence of the seller, and after
each separate part has been suitably packed and sealed, one part
is sent to the Public Analyst, another part is handed back to
the seller, whilst the remaining third part is retained in a
safe place as, in the event of legal proceedings being instituted,
the third sample has to be produced in court. In case of dispute
regarding the accuracy, of the Analyst's Certificate, this
part may be sent to the government analyst for examination.