“Several ill-disposed people frequently dyeing, fabricating, very large quantities of sloe-leaves, &c., in imitation of tea, and colouring or staining and dyeing such leaves, and vending the same as real tea to the prejudice of the health of His Majesty’s subjects.”
“In year 1766–7 a further Act was passed inasmuch as ‘such evil practices were increased to a very great degree to the injury and destruction of great quantities of timber, wood, and underwoods.’
“Coffee had also been the subject of legislation, ‘burnt scorched, or roasted peas, beans, &c.,’ being used to adulterate it.
“In 1816 an Act was passed against the adulteration of beer and porter, and the use of molasses, liquorice, vitriol, quassia, guinea pepper, or opium, and a lot of other ingredients being prohibited.”
“In 1836 an Act was passed against the adulteration of bread.”
And now in 1860 it was enacted that “every person who shall sell as pure or unadulterated any article of food or drink which is adulterated or not pure,” should on conviction be fined.
The Vestries in the metropolis were empowered to appoint analysts. The appointment was voluntary on the part of the local authorities, and, if analysts were appointed, their duties were confined to receiving and analysing articles submitted to them by the purchasers, and certifying the results. The purchasers had to pay the cost. No officer was appointed to obtain samples or to enforce the Act. And the Act is therefore worthy of note more as an illustration of the inaction of the local authorities than for any effect it had as regarded the prevention of adulteration.
In 1863 Parliament passed the “Bakehouse Regulation Act,”[99] which enacted that every bakehouse should be kept in a cleanly state, should be frequently lime-washed, and should be properly provided with proper means for effectual ventilation, and be free from effluvia arising from any drain, privy, or other nuisance.
Also its use as a sleeping-place was prohibited, and the onus of enforcing the provisions of the Act was imposed upon the local sanitary authority.