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79
Sausages, Preserved Meats, &c.
Nine samples of sausages and 15 samples of preserved meats
were procured in the form prescribed by the Acts and submitted to
the Public Analyst. Two of the sausages and 4 of the preserved
meats, &c., were reported as containing a boron preservative in
quantities ranging from 3.2 to 11.7 grains per lb. expressed as
crystallised boric acid.
Rice.
Twenty-six samples of rice were procured informally and submitted
to the Public Analyst and all were reported as genuine.
Sixteen samples were "polished," four by means of oil and 12 with
the aid of talc. In the latter the foreign matter (talc coating)
ranged from 0.42 per cent. to 0.10 per cent., which was below the
permissible limit of 0.5 per cent. The average amount for these
12 samples proved to be 0.24 per cent.
In view of the risk to health which may arise from the consumption
of rice, even in small amounts, so treated, a practice which has
grown up owing to the preference shown by the public for
"polished" rice, the presence of foreign mineral matter shown on
analysis of these samples points to the advisability of washing
all whole rice prior to cooking. The practice in no sense adds to
the dietetic value of rice, while, on the other hand, it is objectionable
bearing in mind that this article of food is consumed largely by
children and invalids and may, even in the case of small quantities
of this foreign mineral matter, give rise to risk of injury to health.
If the practice of "facing" or "polishing" within the
permissible limit of .5 per cent. is considered essential in trade
interests, it certainly should be made an obligation upon the
trader to disclose its presence and quantity in rice to the
purchaser.

† One of these was an informal sample.