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41
Analytical Laboratory
Vestry Hali, Harrow Road, W.,
January 9th, 1890.
To the Vestry of the Parish of St Matthew, Bethnal Green.
Chairman and Gentlemen,
During tho last quarter of tho yoar 1889, I
have received from your Inspectors 13 samples of food for analysis.
Those wore all of them samples of Milk and they wore all genuine, none
of them having been either watered or skimmed.
Though the number of samples taken was too small for one to conclude
that the mass of Milk sold in the Parish was equally pure, yet it
is very satisfactory to find that so many samples of Milk can be purchased
in an unadulterated condition. There was a time when it
would not have been equally possible. This result is mainly due to
the persistent efforts of the Sanitary Committee, in following up known
offenders, and in taking samples from the wholesale dealers at the
railway stations.
Reviewing the Analytical work of the whole year, wo find that in
1889 a total of 133 samples were examined, consisting of Milk 105,
Pepper 10, Mustard 10, Coffee 4. and Butter 1 samples. Of these. 23
samples of Milk and 2 of Coffee proved to be adulterated; so that of
all the samples purchased. 19 percent. wore adulterated; that is rather
higher than last year, when the percentage was 14 only. The general
average for all London, is 11 percent. Of separate articles, 22 percent.
of the Milk samples proved to be adulterated, against 13 percent.
in the previous year; hence Milk, on the whole, has deteriorated this
year. Of the samples of Coffee, 50 percent. contained chicory.
It might bo well in future to procure a more varied supply of
articles, since only 5 different articles wore purchased during the year
for analysis, so that many trades were exempt from the working of the
Adulteration Act.
As affecting the goneral population of Bethnal Green, wo find that for
every 970 persons in the Parish, one sample in the whole year was
anulyzed.
The sum of £38 10s. for fines was ordered to bo paid into tho
Vestry's account.
Appending a tabulated list of the articles examined during the past
quarter,
I remain your obedient Servant,
ALF. W. STOKES, F.C.S., F.I.C.,
Public Analyst.