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33
ANALYST'S REPORTS.
Analytical Laboratory.
Vestry Hall, Harrow Road, W.,
June 25th, 1888.
To the Vestry of the Parish of St. Matthew, Bethnal Green,
Chairman and Gentlemen,
During the Quarter ending June 24th, 1888, I have
received from your Inspectors forty-six samples of food for analysis.
These consisted of—Milk, thirty-four samples; Pepper, seven samples;
and Mustard, five.
Of all these samples of Milk only one was adulterated, and this
contained so small a per centage of added water that no proceedings
were taken.
This almost entire freedom of Milk adulteration is very remarkable
for this Parish; such an absence of adulteration has never occurred
before; usually about half of the samples are found to be adulterated.
It may be that the persistent action of the Sanitary Committee in
taking constant samples of this important article of food has resulted
in a better supply being given to the Parish. The only other
supposition is that somehow the vendors became aware of the
intended visit of the Inspectors, and supplied them with a pure article.
Experience gained from future samples will show which of these
suppositions is correct.
Of the seven Pepper samples, two were adulterated; the one with
30 per cent. of ground beans; the other with 40 per cent. of ground
rice. In both these cases the vendors were prosecuted and fined.
Of the five samples of Mustard, two were mixed with common flour,
and to restore the yellow colour, lightened by this addition, a minute
quantity of turmeric colouring matter was also added. Prosecutions
were undertaken against the vendors, and fines were imposed.
The total amount of fines ordered to be paid into the Vestry's
account during the quarter was £20.
Appending a Tabulated List of the various articles analysed,
I remain,
Your obedient Servant,
ALF. W. STOKES,
Public Analyst.