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131
Preservatives in Milk and Butter.
In 30 samples of Butter out of a total of 119 samples preservatives
were found as under :—
Boric acid 012%; 0.22%; 0.37%; 0.18%; 0.13%; 0.27%; 0.25%;
0.4%; 0.2%; 0.2%; 0.25%; 0.15%; 0.25%; 0.3%; 0.25%; 0.2%; 0.12%;
0.2%; 0.25%; 0.15%; 0.25%; 0.18%; 0.18%; 0.18%; 0.18%; 0.25%;
0.17%; 0.25%; 0.12%; and 0.12%.
Two samples of Margarine contained boric acid: 0.25% and 0.1%.
Two samples of Milk contained formaldehyde : 0.016% and 0.013%.
The Local Government Board issued a circular calling attention to
the use of preservatives in food, especially in milk, and suggested that
the Council should notify milk traders that action will be taken under the
Sale of Food and Drugs Acts in instances where preservatives are reported
found in milk.
As regards formalin and boron preservatives, the Board were advised
that the presence in milk of formalin to an amount which is ascertained
by examination, within three days of collecting the sample, to exceed
1 part in 40,000 (1 part in 100,000 of formic aldehyde) raises a strong
presumption that the article has been rendered injurious to health, and
that the purchaser has been prejudiced, and also that similar presumption
is raised where boron preservatives are present in milk to an amount
exceeding 57 parts of boric acid per 100,000, or 40 grains of boric acid per
gallon.
Action had already been taken by the Public Health and Housing
impurities providing it is made from pure phosphorus and distilled water, care being
taken during the whole process of manufacture. If citric acid and acetic acid are used
great care should be taken to see that they are pure, for in the Final Report of the
Royal Commission appointed to inquire into Arsenical Poisoning from the consumption of
beer or other articles of food or drink it is stated :—
"85. The liability of tartaric and citric acids to contain arsenic, in consequence
"of the use in their manufacture of large quantities of sulphuric acid, has been
"frequently mentioned in evidence, and we have been informed that small amounts
"of arsenic have been detected in certain samples, including some of foreign manu"facture.
We have evidence that care is taken by firms manufacturing these
"substances to obtain sulphuric acid which is free from arsenic, and that the
"stringent precautions against contamination by lead which are usually taken
"would also remove arsenic if present."
"86. Acetic acid, sulphurous acid and bisulphites—used in the preparation
"of a variety of food substances—have also, in a few instances, been reported to
"contain small amounts of arsenic."