WATER IN BUTTER

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 November 1926, Page 3

WATER IN BUTTER

FINE FOR*EXCESS ‘ (Per Press Association.) NELSON, Nov. 29. A pound of butter was responsible for three informations alleging breaches of the Food and Drugs Act. The butter, according to the information, contained 16.92 per cent of moisture, a greater quantity than that permitted by the regulations. The parties concerned were the Waimea Co-opera-tive Dairy Co., H. Coltman and Co., wholesale agents, - and the Workers’ Co-operative. All were charged with selling the butter. Mr Fell, for defendants, admitted all the facts. The Government analysis showed the quantity of moisture was 16.19, and the quantity allowed was 16 per cent. In connection with the testing of butter for water contents, water was free addition, and it was quite impossible in sampling onethird of a pound, as had been done, to state whether that gave a reasonable sample for ah appreciable quantity. One of his clients had analysed one-third of a pound of the-same butter, which showed 16.06, while samples from the same churning showed 15.3. per cent of water. In reply to the Magistrate, the Senior Sergeant said he knew of no facts which would suggest that there was ground for a substantial penalty. The Magistrate said there was no suggestion of wilful fraud on the public. He held that both the principal and agent were liable. So far as the Workers’ Co-operative was concerned, he could not see what steps they could have reasonably taken to guard themselves from committing an offence. It was not like selling underweight butter, where there was an opportunity to weigh it. The Dairy Company was fined 40/, with costs 17/6. The other two defendants were fined 40/ each, with costs 7/. aaßßßßannoaßHnmßtMmnHnß