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19
Sale of Food and Drugs Act.
During the' year eighty-one samples of articles of daily consumption
were examined, viz., 16 of Bread, 10 of Flour, 10 of
Milk, 9 of Coffee, 6 of Tea, 6 of Isinglass, 3 of Butter, 3 of Arrowroot,
3 of Sweets, 2 of Pickles, 2 of Vinegar, 3 of Mustard, 2 of
Pepper, 2 of Gin, 1 of Ale, 1 of Brandy, and 1 of Whiskey,
Of the Breads all were unadulterated, except one sample, which
was found to contain alum in the proportion of 24 grains to the 41b.
loaf. A conviction in this case was obtained, and the offender was
fined £10 and costs.
All the Milks were genuine but one sample, which was found
to have been mixed with 13 per cent. of water. As it had not been
sold as pure milk no proceedings were taken.
Of the Coffees three were discovered to have been mixed with
Chicory to a considerable extent, but as the samples were sold as
mixtures, no action was taken.
The other samples were free from adulteration, or contained
no deleterious admixture.
I am,
Gentlemen,
Your most obedient Servant,
G. A. ROGERS,
Medical Officer of Health,
and Food Analyst.
Board of Works Office, 1879.