"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.
And in 1863 it declared[100] that the law made in 1855 as to the inspection and seizure of unwholesome food--meat, poultry, flesh, fish, vegetables, fruit, &c., &c.--was defective, and that other and more effectual provisions should be substituted therefor; and others were accordingly substituted.
By an Act in 1864 the main principles contained in previous Factory Acts were carried a stage further, in some instances even to trades carried on in private houses.
"Every factory to which this Act applies shall be kept in a cleanly state and be ventilated in such a manner, &c., as to render harmless dust, &c."