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Formaldehyde in Food.
Certain articles of food (smoked bacon and fish) were reported by
the Public Analyst to contain formaldehyde. Experiments with certain
''smoked'' products were carried out by one or two authorities and the
whole facts were submitted to the Ministry of Health. A reply was
received stating that the Minister was aware that formaldehyde may be
present in smoked bacon and fish as a result of the smoking process,
but in such cases it would not appear there was any question of an offence
under the Public Health (Preservatives in Food) Regulations, 1925 to
1927, since for the purposes of those Regulations "preservative" was
defined as not including any substance added to food by the process of
curing known as smoking. It was primarily for the Analyst concerned
to form an opinion whether in any particular case the formaldehyde had
been derived from the smoking process or whether it had been otherwise
added.
Where, however, there was no reason to believe that formaldehyde
had been added except as a result of the smoking process, it seemed to
the Minister to be doubtful whether a local authority would be justified
in instituting legal proceedings for alleged contravention of the provisions
of the Food and Drugs (Adulteration) Act, 1928.
Annual Report of the Public Analysts.
During the year 1937, 794 samples were examined under the Food
and Drugs (Adulteration) Act. All samples were submitted by the
Inspectors.