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list of dyes prohibited for use in colouring food in this country, its use
therefore is permissible. Dyes, however, when combined with specified
metals are prohibited. Methylene blue occurs commercially in combination
with zinc. As the zinc combined with the small amount of dye would
be extremely small, it is not possible to say whether the methylene blue
was originally combined with zinc or not as appreciable amounts of zinc
may occur naturally in tinned foods or accidentally from the soldering
flux.
1 sample of Celery and 1 sample of Milk, which were supposed to
have caused illness, contained no substances of a harmful nature.
1 sample of Chocolates was unfit for human consumption ; the
vendor was fined £10 with £3 3s. costs.
13 other samples analysed were:—Tea (2), Bacon (2), Honey (2),
Flour, Milk, Pills, Butter, Formalin, Tinned Beans and Tinned Peas.
Borough Engineer.—24 samples comprised:—Carbolic Powder 12 (all
complied with the requirements of the specification), Various Tinned Foods 10
and Petrol 2.
Borough Electrical Engineer.—2 samples of Linseed Emulsion were
submitted for analysis.
Private Samples.—1 sample of Diabetic Flour and 1 sample of Milk
(suspected poisoning) were analysed for private purchasers.
Police.— A red powder received from the police consisted of oxide of
copper, small quartz crystals and a little magnesium powder.
I wish to express my appreciation of the able assistance given me in the
laboratory by Mr. W. M. Paulley, B.A., F.I.C.
I have the honour to be,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
DOUGLAS HENVILLE,
Borough Analyst
Chemical Laboratory,
43, White Horse Street, E.1.
May, 1931.