The public analyst

By Gary Walker2009-05-01T00:00:00

Source: Jupiterimages

Analytical chemists ensure everything, from food and drinks, through toys and household chemicals, to air quality and even suspicious powders present no danger to humans

Have you ever wondered if your favourite tipple has been diluted with water or your preferred brand of whisky has been substituted by an inferior brand? Or who do you go to if you suspect that the food or drink you buy isn't up to standard, or worse has been contaminated? The answer is that all food and drink complaints are submitted to the public analyst within a local authority, of which there are some 400 in the UK.

Gary Walker discusses the role of the public analyst.

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