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49
adulterated to genuine samples is still considerably higher in the Parish of
Fulham than it should be, and exceeds the proportions in some other
metropolitan parishes, and in most of the large manufacturing towns. It
is difficult to avoid the conclusion that the very small fines which are at
present so often imposed in cases of milk adulteration are insufficient to
deter dishonest dealers from a resort to this profitable, but most reprehensible,
form of sophistication. Fines of 10s., in cases in which more
than a tenth part, more than a fifth part, and even over one-third of
the samples are added water, appear altogether disproportionate and
unsuitable. The inadequacy of the fines imposed was remarked upon in
the last Annual Report of the Local Government Board.
Butter.
The proportion of adulterated to genuine samples of butter was even
larger than in the case of milk; but, in this comparison, due allowance
must be made for the fact that the total number of samples of butter
analysed was much smaller. Had more samples of butter been examined,
the ratio might have been less considerable. The samples returned as
adulterated consisted, without exception, of "margarine." No excessive
quantity of water, or salt, was found in any of the samples.
Coffee.
Both as regards the ratio of adulterated to genuine samples, and the
quantity of the adulterant, coffee was, among the samples of food, facile
princejps; the amounts of chicory (the only foreign ingredient which it at
present appears worth the vendor's while to add) ranging from 27 to as
much as 90 per cent! In fact, more than 50 per cent. of chicory was
present in most of the adulterated samples. This is evidently a highly
profitable form of adulteration, and appears to flourish, in spite of the
noteworthy fact that some heavy fines have been imposed. Indeed, for
some reason or another, the fines imposed on the vendors of the samples
of adulterated coffee, were mostly higher than the penalties generally
inflicted in the cases of milk adulteration. It is difficult to explain this.
There can be no two opinions as to the relative importance and value of
milk and coffee as articles of diet. Milk is so unapproachable as a food,
especially for the young, that a very moderate addition of water to it would
seem to be not less serious an offence than a considerable admixture of
chicory with coffee.
Demerara Sugar.
In the one sample of sugar certified as adulterated, the analysis showed
the presence of an artificial dye, with which colourless sugar crystals had
been treated, in order to imitate the more expensive, slightly yellow,
Demerara cane sugar. This somewhat singular form of sophistication has
not been uncommon, of late.