"FISHY" PORK.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 221, 18 September 1929, Page 8

"FISHY" PORK.

COMPLAINTS FROM LONDON.

EXPORT TRADE ENDANGERED,

"Fishy" flavour in New Zealand pork threatens to ruin the export trad), stated the New Zealand Meat Producers' Board in a letter read at last night's meeting of the Auckland branch of the Farmers' Union. The London manager of the board had received serious complaints from buyers, said the letter, and four buyers had definitely refused to buy New Zealand pork. The 'board stated that Dr. H. JR. Callow, of the Cambrige low temperature station, had been asked to investigate the problem, and the New Zealand Departments of Agriculture and Scientific and Industrial Research were also trying to locate the cause of the trouble. Dr. Callow reported that, the fat smelt tallowy, and the bacon, when cooked, had a fishy flavour which appeared to arise from feeding.

The serious tone of the board's letter was commented on by Mr. A. E. Robinson, the secretary. He had made what inquiries he could, and it seemed that the trouble was due to the pigs being fed on whale oil. Several members confirmed this view. Many breeders, it was stated, add a percentage of whale oil to skimmed milk in order to restore the percentage of fat that was lost when the cream was taken. This food, especially if fed to the pigs shortly before being killed, would no-doubt taint the meat.

The meeting decided to write to the Agricultural Department asking that investigations should be made, and the results published as soon as possible to warn pig breeders. The export of pork was becoming a valuable trade, which should bo carefully guarded.