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23
March 15th, 1882.
During the quarter I have analysed thirty-one articles, and
have been compelled to make duplicate analyses of thirteen, or
forty-four in all.
I had no intention of analysing so many Milks, but I found
them so unsatisfactory, that I requested our Inspector to take five
additional samples. I thought of a system of partial analysis, but
these were so curious, that I was obliged to re-analyse four out of
five. One was adulterated with 12 per cent., another with 24
per cent., a third with 8 per cent. of water. This last was a topskim,
and contained 30 per cent. of cream and 8½ per cent. of fat.
Another of the same batch was also a top-skim, but it was not in
the least adulterated; and yet another a little watered, but otherwise
passable. Besides these five, 11 other samples have been
taken; of these, six were adulterated with, respectively, 9, 11, 5,
12, 8, and 9 per cent. of water. In one case we had a top-skim with
27 per cent. of cream, but in other respects of good quality. In
another case, the amount of solids, not fat, was so large as to
necessitate much additional trouble to the analyst; the result,
however, was satisfactory.
One Condensed Milk has been analysed, as it is advertised free
from added sugar. The addition of sugar renders the condensed
milks very unpalatable to some. I am, therefore, pleased to mention
the fact, that this particular sample is perfectly free from sugar,
or any other addition. It is so unusually rich, as to suggest that
most condensed milks are somewhat skimmed. The concentration
is as three to one, or three pints condensed into one pint.
Of three Butters analysed, one was good, a second suspicious,
and a third consisted of Butterine. Samples, respectively, of
Oatmeal and of Coffee were very good. A Cacao sold as a
mixture contained 40 per cent. of cacao.
A Vinegar was of fair quality, and free from lead, but a sample
of Pickled Onions contained a very distinct trace of Copper,
suggestive of leaving the pickles in a brass or copper vessel overnight.
The Ketchup was certainly made from mushrooms, and was of