View report page

42
varieties of dessert apples grown in California and Oregon, including the
"Jonathan" apple, have a very deep depression around the stalk and
consequently are peculiarly liable to retain the arsenic, especially as there is
practically no rain during the ripening season to wash it away. Apples grown in
England and other cooler climates with a similar rainfall are almost invariably
free from arsenic as the single spraying is done when the fruit is only just set
and the small amount of arsenic present is washed away by rain.
In conformity with the suggestion of the Minister samples of imported apples
on sale in the Borough were obtained for examination.
Fourteen such samples were submitted to the Borough Analyst. The
following table shows the variety and the results of the examinations.
Variety.
Amount of Arsenic
found (if any).
Jonathan
nil
Jonathan
nil
Jonathan
1/500 grain Per pound
Jonathan
1/900 do.
York Imperial
1/250 do.
York Imperial
1/900 do.
Spitzberger
1/1430 do.
Newtown Oregon
nil
Newtown Oregon
1/475 grain per pound
Newtown Oregon
1/475 do.
Newtown Oregon
1/700 do.
Newtown Oregon
1/800 do.
Newtown Oregon
1/840 do.
South African
nil
It will be seen that on ten out of the 14 samples, traces of arsenic were found.
It is, however, laid down that no action is necessary where the quantity is less
than 1/100 grain per pound, and in all the above samples the quantity of arsenic
found was considerably less than this.
The matter is receiving the serious attention of the apple trade but at the
time of writing samples continue to show the presence of arsenic.
Cheese.
The importance of cheese as an article of food, particularly in the dietary of the
poorer part of the community, is such that the necessity of securing a high nutritive
standard is obvious.
Unfortunately legislation has not yet been enacted in this country to
standardise this and other essential articles of food, although a Bill for the purpose
was introduced as long ago as 1913.