BUTTER CONDEMNED.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVI, Issue XLVI, 4 March 1914, Page 5

BUTTER CONDEMNED.

USE OF PRESERVATIVES

BY TELEGBAPH-r-PRESS ASSOCIATION

> AUCKLAND, Feb. 3. The strict prohibition against the use •of preservative in butter, which is <enforced by the Federal Food and Drugs Department ' under the law of ' the United States, recently caused the con•demnarion of two consignments of New Zealand batter. The reason given for the decision was that it contained ''definite traces of boric acid." No finality las yet been reached in the controversy regarding the effect of adding boric •acid to butter as a preservative. In •the meantime, the law of. New Zealand permits the use of not more than -38 grains per pound, and a certain percentage is allowed in butter manufactured for the English market. On the other hand, the American law will not permit the importation of butter (Containing any preservative other than salt. The big port of Seattle Washington, is at present probably the largest consumer of Australian and New Zealand produce, and it happened that when the first consignment of 1000 Praxes was condemned on its arrival on November 15, there had been a great -deal of speculation. Colonial butter Tlad been selling at a loss, and the -withdrawal of this quantity eased the position for a number of" "jobbers." The second consignment of 400 boxes was condemned towards the end of -January. Dairy companies are adopting strict precautions to keep acid out Of their produce, as the slightest trace boric acid detected in butter by the "United States analyst leads to its condemnation.