§ MR. FLYNNI beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture (1) whether his attention has been called to a recent report of Dr. A. W. Blyth, public analyst for Marylebone, referring to the colouring of margarine with aniline dyes, so as to resemble butter, in which he states that the aniline dyes, even in small doses, interfere with digestion; and (2) do the Government intend to deal with this dangerous form of adulteration in the proposed amendment of the Sale of Food and Drugs Act?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARDI have seen the Report of Dr. Blyth. He states that of the samples of food and drink analysed only two were certified to be adulterated. One was a case of margarine, coloured heavily with an aniline dye, and sold as butter, and the other was a sample of butter heavily coloured with an orange aniline dye. As regards the second Question, adulteration which is injurious to health is already provided for under Section 3 of the Act of 1875, where the penalty for a first offence is £50, and for a second six months' imprisonment with hard labour. As to any amendment of the Acts, I must reserve my statement until the introduction by the Government of a Bill upon the subject.
§ MR FLYNNHas there been any prosecution in connection with the two cases mentioned by the night hon. Gentleman, and were any penalties inflicted?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARDI cannot answer that without notice.