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153
In this connection it may serve a useful purpose to quote some observations
contained in a report upon boric acid in sausages, presented by me to the
Sanitary Committee on 24th November last year.*—
"At present there are no statutory limitations as to the amount of
"preservatives that can be used without the sale of an article being to
"the prejudice of the purchaser. In July, 1899, a Departmental
"Committee was appointed by the Board of Agriculture to enquire into
"the use of preservatives and colouring matter in the preservation and
" colouration of food, and to report
"(1) Whether the use of such materials or any of them for the
"preservation and colouring of food in certain quantities is injurious
"to health, and if so, in what proportion does their use become
"injurious.
"(2) To what extent and in what amount are they so used at
"the present time.
"This Committee made certain recommendations with regard to milk
"and milk products, and the prohibition of the use of copper salts in the
"so-called greening of preserved food, but made no other recommendation
"with regard to the use of preservatives in food, one reason for this
"omission as stated in the report being that
" ' It was soon evident that the question of food preservatives had
" ' not at the time of our enquiry received special attention by the
. " ' medical profession.' "
"This expression of opinion was given nearly eight years ago, and
"whatever the concensus of opinion of that profession on the subject
"may be at the present time, there can be no question that the public
"have a right to know what they are buying.
"Since the date of the Departmental Committee referred to, the
"physiological action of this drug has been investigated by many
"observers, and the evidence now available enables a juster estimate to
"be formed with regard to its action on the human system. Upon a
"review of all facts, there can be no doubt that when this or any
"other drug is added to a food product the purchaser should be notified
"of its presence."
It will be seen from the foregoing that there is an urgent demand for the
settlement of the question of preservatives in food on the part of Public Health
Officers, Public Analysts, Wholesale and Retail traders, Foreign importers, and
* For results of Analyses, see p. 134.