PRESERVATIVES IN DRINK AND FOOD.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 305, 24 December 1926, Page 13

PRESERVATIVES IN DRINK AND FOOD.

(To the Editor.) ! Sir, —In replying to "Analyst," I would beg to point .out to him that the statement that certain preservatives in beer are ruining the kidneys of the Australian people, was - made by a welli known Australian doctor through the Press. No doubt he is sincere and in the position to know what he is talking about. I quite agree with "Analyst" that various' cooked small goods such as sausages, brawns, pressed tongues, etc., contain preservatives. He should note how long they keep apparently fresh, when newly killed meat is putrid in a few days in this sultry weather. The farmer is forced by the health authorities' to have placed on his dairy produce. "This butter contains 20gr of boric acid to the pound," although, thank goodness, some up-to-date ies do not use any for local consumption. I am informed on good authority that America will not tolerate pre.ser- | vatives in any butter imported fvom , New Zealand, and also the British health authorities have brought in legislation, dealing with boric acid in New Zealand butter, which will take effect some time in 1927-28. Importers of Danish butter have taken full advantage of the situation and placarded England to that effect. "Analyst" may not remember the many cases of people being poisoned by arsenic in beer some 25 years or so ago in England, but if he has growing children of his own, I strongly advise him to read Professor -Dixon's (Cambridge, Eng.) experiments on young children and animals, with preservatives. which . are in use to-day. Many famous doctors consider that the great increase in cancer corresponds with the modern use of preservatives in our food, and Sir W. Arbuthnot Lane and Sir Neville Howse have lately called public attention to this important matter. The latter mentions Australia and its high cancer deathrate through using artificially prepared foods—which he considers paves the way for this awful disease. The public should be thankful for these warnings, and insist that all food and drink shall be labelled with the preservatives - they contain. They will then know what to •void.—l am, etc. ' BUNG-BUNG.