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103
stage was passed. The County Council replied that they were awaiting
the issue of the report of the Special Committee recently set up to
investigate the whole matter. The majority of the Metropolitan
Boroughs replied in favour of the proposal. There the matter at present
stands.
Food Preservatives. Boric Acid and Cream. This subject is in
a most unsatisfactory state. A radical enquiry into the whole question
is long overdue. In 1901, the Departmental Committee said that .25
per cent (17.5 grs. to the lb.) should be the maximum amount of boric
acid used in cream as a preservative. Borough Councils asked the
Local Government Board to give effect to the Departmental Committee's
suggestion, but this was not done. In 1909, the Kensington
Borough Council notified cream vendors that they would prosecute
anyone selling cream containing boric acid without disclosing its
presence, and further, even though its presence was declared, a prosecution
would follow if more than .25 per cent. (17.5 grs. per lb.) were
found in cream. In 1912, the Local Government Board issued the
Milk and Cream Regulations, and in 1917 amended the same, no
preservatives to be added to cream except boric acid and not more than
28 grs. per lb. (.4 per cent.). Labels to be used, "Not suitable for
infants or invalids." Kensington adhered to their 17.5 grs. standard
and notified traders again to that effect. Wholesalers, however, sometimes
added 28 grs., and Kensington retailers had difficulty in finding
less. The Kensington Borough Council felt that no cream preservative
was necessary if quick transit and clean methods were used. The
Local Government Board stated in 1917 that their Order was an Interim
one, and that a small expert Committee would be appointed after the
war. As this had not been done, the Kensington Borough Council
besought the other Metropolitan Boroughs in 1922, to help Kensington
in asking the Ministry of Health to institute the enquiry promised by
the President of the Local Government Board in 1917, concerning the
use of boric acid in cream, so that matters would be made fair to the
trader, consistent with the provisions of the Food and Drugs Acts, and
would protect the health of the people.
The Deptford Council addressed the Minister of Health, asking that
the enquiry promised in 1917 should be instituted forthwith. A reply
came to the effect that a Committee of enquiry had been appointed
in 1917, and that no useful purpose would now be served by the
appointment of a Committee for the investigation of the question of
preservatives in cream.