View report page

23
Boric and
Chemical
Preservatives
in Food.
During the year it was found that certain samples
of ham and bacon purchased at different shops contained
boric or chemical preservatives, and on this
being reported to your Committee, the following
circular letter was ordered to be sent to all the bacon
dealers in the Borough. This letter seems in itself
sufficiently to convey the idea that the Sanitary
Authority merely desired (as it were) to put the
several tradesmen on their guard, as well, of course, as
to protect the public. Unfortunately some few of our
local tradesmen do not appear to possess the saving
grace of humour, and in one or two instances, the
desire to accept advice, even when kindly meant, was
not fully apparent. In any case, I was informed that
if this interference was continued, the Trade Association
would take the matter up, and very soon settle
it; the Association would never allow the sacred
cause of surreptitiously drugging the people, and the
selling of drugs and chemicals disguised as bacon and
ham to be lightly suppressed. It is only fair to add
that the very large majority of the traders with great
good sense did much appreciate the cautionary advice
given.
The letter referred to is as follows :—
BORIC ACID IN BACON, etc.
Circular letter
re Boric Acid
in Bacon
and Ham.
I am instructed by the Public Health Committee to inform
you and all other persons dealing in bacon in this Borough,
that certain purchases of bacon made at various shops in the
district prove that bacon which has been preserved with boric
acid is being sold to the public.