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Both informal samples of Rice reported against were also found
to contain excess mineral matter.
Note. By "excess mineral matter" is meant the amount of
mineral matter removable from the surface of the grain in excess of
the suggested limit of 0.5 per cent.
In conclusion I have to report that the total adulteration during
the quarter amounted to, for formal samples, 4.1 per cent.;
for informal samples, 11.2 per cent.; and for all samples, 6.3 per
cent.
The cost of the above analyses was covered by the Analyst's
salary of £600 per annum.
Milk and Cream Regulations.
All samples of milk are examined by the Public Analyst
for the presence of preservatives, but in no case out of the 751
samples of milk taken for analysis was a preservative reported
to be present.
Public Health (Milk & Cream) Regulations, 1912 and 1917.
The objects of these Regulations were (a) to prohibit the addition
of preservatives to milk intended for human consumption
and (b) to secure that cream containing preservatives shall be distinguished
at all stages of sale from cream to which no preservative
has been added. The 1912 Regulations prescribed the form of label
to be used on all receptacles containing preserved cream, but the
amount of preservation which might be added was not, however,
specified.
In 1917, Amending Regulations were issued by the Local
Government Board fixing the maximum quantity of boron preservative
which was permitted to be added to preserved cream at 0.4
per cent., or 28 grains boric acid to the pound, and requiring
declaratory labels to be affixed to the receptacles containing it,
stating that such cream was not suitable for infants and invalids.
The Regulations, even as amended, appear to be misleading,
and they seem to be regarded by the trade as implying that the
addition of boric acid to cream up to 0.4 per cent. was permissible
so long as the amount was declared, although the High Court has
decided that the addition of boric acid to cream in quantities considerably
less than 28 grains per pound was illegal.
The Local Government Board, in a letter which accompanied
the Order of 1917, amending the Regulations, stated that the
question as to boric acid in cream was one of some difficulty, and
that it had been decided to appoint a small expert committee for
the purpose of enquiring further in regard thereto, and that the
appointment of this Committee having been postponed in consequence
of the war, Lord Rhondda, the president of the Board,