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31
Analytical Laboratory,
Vestry Hall, Harrow Road, W.,
January 6th, 1886.
To the Vestry of the Parish of St. Matthew, Bethnal Green,
Chairman and Gentlemen,—During the quarter ending December
ith, 1885, only 8 samples of food were submitted to me by your
ispectors. Six of these were samples of Butter, and 2 were Milk
samples. Not one of the butters was made from milk, but they all
nsisted of beef-fat, with a little salt, curds and water, and were
relored by annatto to resemble the real article. As samples of
utterine they were well made, pure and wholesome, but they were
Id at a comparatively high price as butter. The vendors were
osecuted and fines in all cases were imposed.
Of the 2 samples of Milk 1 contained 25 per cent. of added water,
e other was genuine. Proceedings are now being taken against the
mdor of the adulterated sample. The sum of £8 10s. for fines has
meen paid into the Vestry's account during the quarter.
A summary of the year's work may be perhaps of interest.
During the year 1885, I have analysed for the Vestry 100 samples
food, consisting of 65 samples of Milk, and 35 samples of Butter.
these 41 samples of Milk were adulterated, and 21 samples of
utter, that is 62 per cent. of these samples of food had been tampered
ith. This percentage is exceedingly high and shews that much reams
to be done to diminish this wholesale adulteration. A good deal
harm to the health as well as to the pocket must result from this
lpoverishment of the food supply. In one case a milk had been
>prived of all its cream and then diluted with 40 per cent. of water.
rosecutions were undertaken in 52 cases, and were almost always
iccessfully conducted, the fines paid into the Vestry's account amountg
to £175.