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Arsenic in Beer.
In November, general attention was called to the contamination
of a quantity of beer, chiefly in Lancashire and the Midlands, by
Arsenic, which was derived from the glucose used in brewing, and
the resulting poisoning of a large number of the consumers, the
effect of the poison being to cause an inflammatory affection of
the ends and trunks of the nerves, which is known as Peripheral
Neuritis.
46 samples of Ale, procured in Fulham, and also samples of
Glucose and Invert Sugar, which are manufactured at the
Saccharine Works, Fulham Palace Road, were examined and
found to be free from Arsenic ; neither has any been found in
the very large number of samples which have been tested in the
metropolis.
Samples are also being taken of Golden Syrup, Jams, Confectionery,
and other articles, in which Glucose is used, in order
that they may be tested for Arsenic.
The Milk Standard's Enquiry.
The report of the Committee appointed by the Board of Agriculture
to report upon the Milk Standards and Regulations, under
Section 4 of the Sale of Food and Drugs Act, 1899, has recently
been issued.
The Committee recommend :—
1. That the Total Milk Solids dried at 100°c shall be taken
into account, and that when the Total Milk Solids do not
amount to 12 % of the Milk, the presumption shall be that
the Milk is not genuine, and the Vendor be called upon to
defend himself against a prosecution.
2. That where the Total Milk Solids fall below 12%, those
Milks, in which the amount of milk-fat falls below 3.25%,
shall be presumed to have had fat abstracted ; and that
those Milks in which the non-fatty solids fall below 8.5%
shall be presumed to have been watered.