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Government Board on this subject, does not lay down any maximum
limit for sodium nitrite, he (the Public Analyst) considers it desirable
that a legal limit should be fixed. The Council adopted the Analyst's
suggestion, and addressed communications to the Local Government
Board and to the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, calling their
attention to the result of the analysis of the sample of flour in question,
and urging that steps may be taken with a view to a maximum limit
for sodium nitrite used in connection with the process of bleaching flour
being fixed.
Chocolate and Chocolate Powder.—In a number of instances a
large proportion of foreign starch has been found as an ingredient. The
Council have sent a letter to the Local Government Board calling
attention to the matter and asking them to consider the desirability of
fixing standards.
Vinegar.—Samples of malt and other vinegar were taken, and in
one instance a vendor was summoned for selling an article which
contained a larger amount of water than is usual, the amount of acetic
acid being only 2.1 per cent., so that it must have been freely diluted.
The only standard for vinegar is that contained in the British
Pharmacopoeia for Diluted Acetic Acid which is used in the preparation
of the Vinegars of Squill and of Ipecacuanha. This should contain
4.27 parts per 100 of hydrogen acetate (acetic acid). The Local
Government Board have been approached recently by the trade with a
view to having a standard fixed. The Board have replied that they
have not at present any power to frame definitions of vinegar or artificial
vinegar but they think it may be desirable that they should state their
views on the subject.
In the Board's opinion the following definitions might properly be
adopted, viz.:—
"General Standard for Vinegar.
" Vinegar is a liquid derived wholly from alcoholic and acetous
fermentations; it shall contain not less than 4 grammes of acetic
acid (CH3COOH) in 100 cubic centimetres of vinegar; it shall not
contain arsenic in amounts exceeding 0.0143 milligrammes per
100 cubic centimetres of vinegar nor any sulphuric or other
mineral acid, lead or copper; nor shall it contain any foreign
substance or colouring matter except caramel.
"Mali Vinegar is derived wholly from malted barley or wholly
from cereals the starch of which has been saccharified by the
diastase of malt.