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102
PRESERVATIVES IN FOODS.
From time to time I have taken steps to ascertain to what extent the
various foodstuffs sold in the City are treated with preservatives, and in all
the inquiries I have undertaken, the results have demonstrated how largely
this dangerous practice is taking a hold on the traders. I can recall one
recent case in which as much as 63 grains of boric acid per pound was
found in pork sausages, and another in which boric acid was found in milk
to the extent of 43.4 grains per pound.
When one considers that the dose of boric acid according to the British
Pharmacopoeia is from 5 to 15 grains, and that a person eating one pound of
the sausages treated as above, would take into his system a quantity of
boric acid four times as large as the maximum medicinal dose, it is not
surprising that such would be found difficult of digestion.
Dr. Buchanan, in his report on the question, published some little time
since, gave it as his opinion that the "presence of as much boric acid as
"42 grains per pound is objectionable from the point of view of public
"health," and this view is hardly likely to be questioned when one realises
that it is by no means excessive for a man to consume one pound of sausages
for a meal.
Besides boric preparations, it is well known that other and even more
objectionable drugs are sometimes employed; and with a view to ascertaining
to what extent such are used by manufacturers of the largely advertised
preservative mediums supplied to sausage makers, &c., fifteen samples were
taken and submitted to the Public Analyst, who reported thereon as follows:—
No. of
Sample.
Description of Article.
Result of Analysis.
503
Biscuit Powder for Sausage Making
Torrefied Wheat Flour.
504
Sausage Seasoning
Salt
64.1 per cent.
Spices
31.6 „
Water
4.3 „
505
Preservative
Borax (calculated as dry)
22.13 per cent.
Boric Acid
76.88 „
Undetermined
0.99 „
506
Meat Preservative
Borax (calculated as dry)
37.13 per cent.
Boric Acid
60.41 „
Undetermined
2.46 „
507
Beef Seasoning
Common Salt
55.1 per cent.
Spices
39.2 „
Moisture
5.7 „
508
Sausage Filling
Cooked Starch, probably Maize. Preservative
absent.