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"which would materially alter the character of the food, and make the latter
"even harmful.
"For these reasons I think it is most important that all preserved food intended
" to be kept for an indefinite period should be absolutely sterile."
Dr. Bulloch.—"In conclusion it is my opinion that all foods of the class
"examined and intended to be kept if necessary for an indefinite period, should be
"Sterile, and that sterilisation should be accomplished by heat alone, and in a
" suitable vessel which can be hermetically sealed."
Professor Hewlett.—"The B. subtilis and the B. mesentericus vulgatus seem to
"be quite harmless organisms—guineapigs inoculated intraperitoneally and mice
"fed with cultures being unaffected. Although this is the case, it must be a matter
"of some concern that nearly two-thirds of the canned foods examined were not
"sterile. If, for example, the sporing anaerobic Bacillus Botulinus of sausage
"poisoning should by any chance be introduced into a sample, there is considerable
"probability that it would survive and bring about changes in the food which would
"result in the production of substances having a toxic action. It is of interest that
"cocci and organisms of the B. coli and B. entertidis groups were not detected.
"I hope also that I have made it clear in my Report that I view with
" concern the fact that so many samples are not sterile.
"I am in absolute agreement with Dr. Klein and Dr. Bulloch in considering that
"these canned foods should be sterile."
The verdict of these Experts must be accepted as final, and it only remained,
lierefore, as a satisfactory solution of the difficulty, to induce the Chamber of
"ommerce to fall into line with this view.
Further correspondence ensued, and on the 14th May, 1907, a letter was
eceived from the Chamber of Commerce enclosing a copy of the following
ircular to Packers and Manufacturers of Tinned and Preserved Foods proposed
3 be issued by their Canned Trade Section.
" London Chamber of Commerce,
" lith May, 1907.
"CANNED GOODS TRADE SECTION.
"EXAMINATION OF TINNED FOODS.
"In view of the action taken by the various Governmental and Local
"Authorities in the United Kingdom, to enquire into the methods of manufacture
"and packing of canned foods imported into this country, and their suitability
"for human consumption, I am desired to state that in the opinion of the Canned
"Goods Trade Section of the London Chamber of Commerce it is essential that
"packers of such goods should adopt a process of manufacture which would result
"in the complete sterilisation of those articles of food which, without detriment of
u their nutritive value, can be so treated.
"This opinion is expressed as a result of a careful bacteriological examination ot
a large number of samples of such food, and as the outcome of the conferences
"which have taken place between the Sanitary Committee of the Corporation of
"London and this Chamber upon the subject."