TO PRESERVE FOOD.

Evening Star, Issue 13100, 5 November 1908, Page 1

TO PRESERVE FOOD.

A STERILISING PROCESS. A number of butchers and other representative business men interested in any available and secure method of preserving foodstuffs assembled in the Board Room of the A. and P. Society yesterday to witness an exhibition and trial of a new sterilising agent, the property of the Universal Sterilisation Company, for which Messrs Waters, Ritchie and Mr J. R. Scott are the local agents. The sterilising apparatus was exhibited and its process explained. It seems very simple. I The meat is placed in the air-tight chamber of the machine, from which all impure. air has been extracted by means of a centrifugal j pump. Fresh sterilised and dried air is then introduced, together with the vapor generated by pastilles made from a secret formula. In half an hour's time the vapor has thoroughly impregnated the meat, which, it is claimed, is now sterilised, and' its decay arrested, no matter where or for how long it is hung. The process in no respect alters the flavor, smell, or color of the meat. The advantage claimed for it over the refrigerating process is this: Refrigeration is. a preservative only so long as the stuff remains in chilled condition; whereas it is claimed for the new process that the food treated may be taken out of the steriliser and exposed for thirty days in any temperature without losing its quality. As some evidence of this, the agents have received from Hastie and Co., of this town, the following letter: "We have pleasure in certifying that the piece qf beef which was put through your process has hung in our shop for the last' seven days. On examination this morning we found 'it quite sound and good, and free from smell." On the point of economy, it is claimed that a ton of meat can be sterilised for 7s 6d., Bottles of the vapor are supplied in solution for the treatment of milk or cream, which, it is claimed; will keep fresh for several days. Eggs (at a preserving cost of Id per 100), fish, poultry, bacon, etc., can all bo sterilised by this process. Flies will not touch meat impregnated with the vapor for the reason, apparently, that it coats the meat with.a thin,\vaporous layer, which disappears only when the meat is subjected to the cooking heat of a fire. r