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5 samples examined for preservative contained less than the amount
permitted by the Regulations. These samples were:—Strawberry Pulp
(3) containing 1,825, 1,665 and 1,490 parts sulphur dioxide per million
respectively and Raisins (2) containing 315 and 730 parts sulphur dioxide
per million respectively.
1 sample of Root Ginger contained 95 parts sulphur dioxide per million.
An article of food may contain preservative if it is to be used in the
preparation of one of the foods in which preservative is permitted. If the
root be used in the preparation of ginger wines, alcoholic and non-alcoholic
preservative is permitted; but if the root be ground for use in cakes
and puddings preservative is not permitted.
1 sample of Apples taken from 28 barrels which were returned to a
wholesaler in this Borough as the apples were said to contain arsenic,
was satisfactory. In no case did the arsenic content exceed one-hundredth
grain of arsenic per pound. In 1925 arsenic was found in American
apples, the presence of the arsenic being due to the use of lead arsenate
spray, the lead arsenate drying on the skin and being deposited around
the stalk. In this case the apples showed a heavy light blue deposit
around the stalk and the powder could also be seen on the skin. This
was due to the use of a Bordeaux mixture spray and such arsenic as
was found to be present, was present as an impurity in the spray used.
2 samples of Tinned Tomatoes were unsatisfactory owing to the
presence of excessive amounts of tin and copper, the samples contained
respectively 0.7 grain copper per pound and 2.7 grains tin per pound,
and 0.6 grain copper per pound and 2.6 grains tin per pound.
Copper when present as a metallic colouring matter is prohibited;
there is, however, no legal standard controlling the presence of copper
otherwise in food.
1 sample of Tinned Peas was examined for metallic contamination
and for the presence of a dye. Complaints had been made of the effects
produced after the peas had been eaten. Owing to the discontinuance
of the use of copper salts for the production of a green colour in peas,
other methods are now being used. In this case the peas were found to
have been coloured with methylene blue. When this dye is taken
internally it has the effect of colouring the urine green or blue according
to the amount of dye present. This dye is not however included in the