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32
Sausages.
Four samples were found to contain boracic acid, but the quantity was too
small to warrant proceedings.
From the list of articles included in the above table it will be observed that
considerable attention has been given to the administration of the Sale of Food
and Drugs Acts, in the Borough.
The sophistication of foods opens up problems of considerable complexity and
difficulty The matter is one of special importance in a Central London Borough
with its crowded day population which takes two at least of its daily meals during
the working day in the Borough.
Preservatives in Food.
At its meeting on the 24th May the Council supported a representation made
by the Kensington Borough Council to the Minister of Health, urging that in the
interests alike of the public, the local authorities and the traders, the enquiry
promised by the President of the Local Government Board in 1917 respecting
the addition of boric, acid to cream, should be instituted forthwith and definite
instructions laid down for the guidance of local authorities and traders.
A reply was received from the Ministry of Health, dated 3rd August, 1922,
intimating that the Minister does not feel that any useful purpose would be
served by the appointment of a Committee to investigate the question of
preservative iti .-ream. The communication further stated that if an investigation
were made the first question for consideration would be, " In what quantities
and under what conditions is boric acid dangerous to health?" In this connection
the Minister was advised that no appreciable evidence has accrued since 1917,
and he was of opinion that if this question were to be specially investigated the
enquiry would have to relate to all foods and should not be limited to cream.
The necessity to extend any investigation to articles of food other than cream
has become evident.

*Exclusive of Cream sold as " Preserved" Cream.