§ Mr. Wootton-Daviesasked the Minister of Health how far the reports of analysts show an increase in the distribution of unsatisfactory food compositions.
§ Mr. WillinkI append a table showing the total number of samples of food (excluding drugs) reported on by public analysts in England and Wales under the Food and Drugs Act, 1938, in each of the years 1938 to 1942, and showing the number and proportion of the samples reported against. It must, however, be borne in mind that reports are made against some samples because of contravention of some formal requirement, e.g., as to labelling, and not necessarily because of unsatisfactory composition. Again, in taking samples some authorities may have given special attention to sources where there was particular reason to suspect adulteration.
415W
Year. Total number of samples examined. Total number of samples reported against. Percentage. 1938 … 143,100 8,130 5.7 1939 … 139,958 7,624 5.4 1940 … 134,193 8,080 6.0 1941 … 123,352 9,672 7.8 1942 … 116,055 8,800 7.6