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33
TO LADY-DAY, 1887.
Analytical Laboratory,
Vestry Hall, Harrow Road, W.,
April 29th, 1887.
To the Vestry of the Parish of St. Matthew, Bethnal Green.
Chairman and Gentlemen,—Now that all the cases of prosecution
are satisfactorily concluded, I am able to forward you my
Report for the quarter ending March 25th.
A total of 36 samples has been submitted to me by your Inspectors
for analysis. These consisted of 18 samples of Milk, and 6 each of
Butter, Pepper, and Mustard. Of the Milk samples 8 were adulterated,
the adulteration varying from the abstraction of one-third of the
cream to the addition of 30 per cent. of water. Only half of the
Butter samples were pure butter; of the others, 2 contained no butter
at all, but were made up of beef-fat, salt and water, while the other
sample contained only 10 per cent. of butter.
Out of the 6 Pepper samples 3 were adulterated. The adulteration
was of a rather novel character, consisting of the addition of
from 5 to 15 per cent. of olive-stones ground to a fine powder. The
olives are grown for the sake of the oil produced by the pulp, hitherto
the stones have been of no value, but lately they have been ground
up and largely used for mixing with pepper. They serve no useful
purpose, having no taste or nourishing properties, and being very
similar to sawdust as a food or condiment. They only add to the
weight and bulk of the pepper and to the profits of the seller.
In these as well as in the other cases of adulteration prosecutions
were undertaken, and in all convictions were obtained, fines to the
extent of £25 10s. being paid into the Vestry's account. Praise is
due to the Inspectors for the able way in which they have brought
all the prosecutions to so successful an issue.
All the samples of Mustard were genuine.
Forwarding herewith a tabulated statement of each analysis.
I have the honour to be, Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
ALF. W. STOKES,
Public Analyst.
C