FORMALDEKYDE IN FOODS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 27 September 1924, Page 15

FORMALDEKYDE IN FOODS.

ITS USE CONDEMNED, THE CASE OF CHILLED BEEF

(Sydney Morning Herald). LONDON, August 12. An interim report by the rood Preservatives Committee appointed by the Right Hon. Neville (Jliam!>er'..un, in Jmy last year, to inquire into trie use ot preservatives arid colouring matters in rood has been issued by trie Ministry of Health. The report deals with the treatment, of chilled beef and other foods with formaldehyde, with special reference to the Linley process, the object of which is, the report states, to render it possible to import beer from distant countries, especially Australia and New Zealand, in a chilled instead of a frozen condition. The objections common to the use of preservatives in general food are, the committee declares, applicable to formaldehyde with no less force than to other preservatives. Formaldehyde is a preservative substance which is inimical to life and to vital processes of all kinds; it is a powerful protoplasmic poison. . . In tho body formaldehyde is oartly excreted unchanged; in its passage through the body ft combines with tissue proteins, and this #ombination renders its excretion slow, so that it is probably cumulative; and this feature makes its use as a preservative of food particularly objectionable. “It appears possible that a section of the trade might benefit financially by the treatment of chilled beef with formaldehyde, but we think that the true interests of the trade as a whole would not be furthered by a revival of the practice. There appears to he [ much in the statement that the treatment of beef with formaldehyde may correct, in part, at any fate, improper and defective methods of preparation, handling, storage, and transport, but it is undesirable that preservatives gener- . ally should be used to support the perpetuation of bad methods in dealing with foodstuffs.

“It would appear,” the report continues, “that the undesirableness of using this substance as a preservative is generally recognised by traders, . . When formaldehyde is added to food nowadays it is usually done by irresponsible persons, and its use as a food preservative appears to be comparatively rare and sporadic. We understand, however, that butchers are ; being supplied to some extent with a solution of formaldehyde for treating the surface of meat, although it is possible that they may be unaware of the nature of the material they are using. Medical and scientific witnesses, both those who gave evidence before us on behalf of food traders and also those who spoke on behalf of local authorities and other organisations concerned with public health interest, neither asked that formaldehyde should be recognised as a permissible food preservative nor when questioned failed to agree that formaldehyde was an objectionable substance to. use in connection with food. A witness who voiced the opinion of the British Medical Association was emphatic in his condemnation or this preservative.” The following conclusion is reached: “Having regard to, the interests of the trader and of the consumer, we have no hesitation in recommending that the addition of formaldehyde or any of its derivatives to food or drink should be absolutely and specifically prohibited.” • Reviewing investigations mad© in the nast into the Linley process, the committee further states that, having regard to all the information, given to it, it is of opinion that no exception ?p favour of the process should he made from its general condemnation of the use of formaldehyde in any ' article, of food or drink. .