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One sample of sausages contained preservatives, but was sold without any declaration to that
effect. All other samples of sausages contained either no preservatives or only the permitted
quantity.
Two samples of split peas and one of butter beans were condemned because, in each case,
about 10 per cent.of the peas or beans had been attacked by maggots. In the case of some of these
dried vegetables, maggots are actually present in the bags when they are opened. It may be
mentioned that although a number of samples of this type have been reported as adulterated by your
analyst, he has seldom had occasion to do so when they are sold in packets, showing that there is
a tendency for packed goods to be better than loose ones in this respect.
On January 27th, an important case relating to the sale of artificial vinegar was heard at
Bow Street Police Court and was later reheard at London Sessions. At each hearing it was decided
that the use of the description vinegar without any qualification denotes that the product is a brewed
one. Six samples, sold as vinegar, were accordingly reported as adulterated, because they consisted
of, or were thought to consist of, 100 per cent.artificial vinegar. In one instance the manufacturer
pointed out that the vinegar was in fact spirit vinegar, but admitted that he was unable to inform
your analyst of any tests by which artificial vinegar and spirit vinegar could be differentiated. At
the same time he pointed out that all the barrels sold by his firm and all labels stated distinctly that
the vinegar should be sold as " spirit vinegar " and not simply as vinegar. Whilst the odour might
normally give some clue to the analyst as to the difference between spirit and artificial vinegar, the
latter product is often put into old malt vinegar barrels or even wine barrels to impart the necessary
aroma to the product and also to add a trace of extractive, which would not otherwise be present.
The brewers of spirit vinegar are endeavouring to assist analysts in this problem of differentiation.
One sample of wood vinegar was found to be 3.25 per cent.deficient in acetic acid.
Three out of thirteen samples of spirits (23 per cent.) were reported as adulterated. One
sample of rum was 43.6° Under Proof whereas the Food and Drugs (Adulteration) Act stipulates that
spirits shall not be more than 35° Under Proof. Two samples of whisky were only slightly adulterated,
being 36.6° and 36.8° Under Proof respectively.
The quality of drugs examined during the year has been maintained. Out of 45 samples
examined only one was returned as adulterated and the offence in this case was technical, as distinct
from dangerous. The British Pharmacopoeia requires various salts such as Epsom salts and Glauber's
salt to be crystalline and to contain the full amount of water necessary to give this appearance.
If such salts are kept badly they effloresce and powder with the result that the user cannot be so sure
of the dose which is being taken. In the particular case reported as adulterated a sample of Glauber's
salt was 20 per cent.deficient in the water of crystallisation.
It is interesting to note that since the action taken by the Council some years ago in connection
with carbolic ointment, the quality of this product has improved considerably and all samples now
conform to the standard suggested by your analyst when the cases were brought.
During the year 19 samples of milk were examined bacteriologically under the Milk (Special
Designations) Order, 1936. Thirteen samples complied with the requirements of the Order, but
six contained an excessive number of bacteria, this number amounting in one case to at least 2,000,000
bacteria per c.c., whereas the order requires not more than 100,000 bacteria per c.c.
Eight samples were examined in connection with the Pharmacy and Poisons Act, 1933, and in
the course of the analyses it was found that two samples of ammonia were considerably below the
strength mentioned on the labels.