The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-19
PUSHING FOOD INSPECTIONS.


Health Officer LeHardy and Food In
spector Mcleod are giving close attention
Just now 10 milk. meat and other food in
spections. 1t is found. however, that milk
sold in Savannah is pure so far as the
samples thus far show.
4nefe was time before attention was
gwen 10 the purity of foods, when it was
"illeuIt to get pure milk. The dealers al
ways managed to get in something to in
crease quantity sand decrease quality. but
which there was no means of detecting
0'hce rigid rules have been enforced in re-
gard to the purity of all kinds of food
stuhs the effect has been particularly no
ticeabie in the class of milk sold, which is
clearly demonstrated by the inspections
now being made. The fact is particularly
pleasing TO the officials Of the health de-
par liheht' who have been Fastening ar
ransements for the experiments
The tests thus far speak for the general
quality Of milk sold in Savannah. Inspec-
Tor Mcleod obtained the samples il. small
bottles, holding about a gill, on the back
VI Whlch was the name of the dairyman
VINO furnished it. Without showing the
slightest Partially, the tests were prompt
~ made and where an impurity or lack
OF nutritious quality was found. the dali
lyman was notified of the fact This meant
LOT MN 10 remedy the Shortcomings about
winch Or. LeHardy gave such information
as the case required.
Inc department deplores its inability to
properly carry on food inspections, how
ever because of the lack of a chemist and
wen supplied laboratory. Without this ad-
vantage 1t Is impossible to condemn foods
except Where the defect can be discovered
WIN the naked eye. AT present the de-
partment makes no effort to find fault with
any looos except meats, milk and vegeta-
pies. In the case of lard, butter baking
powder, flour, self-rising flour pepper
canned goods, vinegar and numerous other
thihgS, no attempt whatever is made to
Keep INSCRIPTIONS dealers from proving
on the unsuspecting public. 1t is asserted
Dy some who have made private inspec-
lions, but who do not consider it their bus
mess TO disclose the facts that this class
OF goods rs remarkably adulterated, espe-
cially in the case OF vinegar 1t is not I'M
derstood the authorizations are made in Sa-
Vannah, but the stuff gets to the dealers
here just the same.
Health Officer LeHardy intends very
soon TO impress on members of Council the
importance of city chemist, who could
carry on these tests and rid grocery stores
OF injurious foods 1t is asserted there
could be no more important office, and that
merchants could well afford to share the
expense of a chemist, since il would pro-
tect them and their customers against i'm
positions.
While some dealers know goods to be
impure and represent them so to custom
ers, there are others who are imposed on
because there is no way of getting a quail
itative analysis except for a pretty good
price, which would interfere with profits.
With city chemist, however, and a sys-
tematic way Of making analyses for deal
ers' free or nominally charged for, as
might be considered best, it Is believed the
office would soon become indispensable. Il
would at least meet a long felt want in the
present method of food inspecting.