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148
BORACIC ACID IN SHRIMPS IMPORTED FROM HOLLAND.
The shrimps referred to were examined under the following circumstances.
It appears that there is a considerable trade done in the importation of picked
shrimps from Holland. These are chiefly used by restaurant and hotel keepers
for making shrimp sauce and by manufacturers of potted shrimp paste. A
sample of these was taken at the request of a dealer in Billingsgate, there
being reason to believe the shrimps were treated with some preservative. The
Public Analyst certified them to contain no less than 1.49 per cent., or 104.3
grains per lb., of boracic acid.
As such an excessive quantity of this drug rendered them unfit for food, two
other samples were taken in the neighbourhood of Billingsgate. These, upon
analysis, were certified as containing 0.49 per cent., or 34.3 grains per lb., and
1.12 per cent., or 78.4 grains per lb. respectively, of boracic acid. The lesser
amount found in the last two samples was found upon inquiry to be due to
their having been washed, whereas the first sample taken was examined when
in its condition on arrival in this country.
The firm chiefly engaged in the sale of these shrimps, and the agents
representing the consignors abroad, were at once informed that these
shrimps would not be allowed to be sold in the City if they contained more
than ½ per cent., equivalent to 35 grains per lb., of boracic acid, and the
nature and amount of the preservative used marked on each consignment.
After some experiments had been made in Holland, two trial samples
submitted by the consignor were analysed, but these were found to contain
boracic acid in considerable excess, containing 1.5 per cent., or 105 grains
per lb., and .75 per cent., or 52.5 grains per lb., respectively.
Further experiments were then undertaken, which proved more successful,
and two samples that were examined were found to be well below the limit,
the amount of boracic acid found being '11 per cent., or 7.7 grains per lb., and
0.26 per cent., or 18.2 grains per lb., respectively.
The dealers were informed that as their results were satisfactory no further
objection would be raised with regard to the sale of these shrimps in the
City, and that samples would be taken from time to time for control
purposes.
SALE OF FOOD AND DRUGS ACTS.—WARRANTIES.
The question of Warranties having become of such serious importance as
affecting an efficient control of food supplies by a satisfactory administration
of the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts, I recommended to the Sanitary
Committee, in January, 1906, that a statement be submitted by the Corporation
to the Local Government Board and the Board of Agriculture and