BREAD IMPROVERS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 March 1931, Page 7

BREAD IMPROVERS

MOVE TO ABOLISH BAN. WH EAT BESEARCH INSTITUTE’S ■EXPERIMENTS. CHRISTCHURCH, March 21. Among -tile bread which members ol the Wheat: Bcsearch Institute inspected at yesterday’s meeting was a loal, one-half of which had been baked without the use of any improver, and the other half with a substance tor giving it a better texture, among the ingredients ol' the dough. An inspection showed the half containing the improver to be whiter than the other, loss crumbly, and ol greater lightness and volume. It had risen about an inch higher than the other. Members discussed the possibility of the use of improvers being made legal in the Dominion, and the chairman, Dr TI. G. Denham, said tlm Institute was the body which should give a lead in such matters. The Director, Professor F. W. TT.ilgondorf, said that the u«e of improvers was permitted in Britain and America, but there was a ban in Australia. He believed, however, that tlm prohibition in the Connnonwenlth was ignored. Dr Denham said health authorities felt that diseases such as cancer were caused by foreign substances being introduced into foods, and there was a tendency for them to tighten up the restrictions. Boric acid was more or less under suspicion. The Institute should have definite official information in regard to the use of improver* in bread in Britain. It would he of no use approaching the health authorities in the Dominion with an ex parte statement that there was no ban on their use ni Home. The report of the Institute's chemist, Air 11. E. West, in regard to the use of this particular improver was satisfactory, and this was borne out by the bread they had inspected. Mr B. ,7. Lyons said he was afraid they would find the Health Department adamant. It was decided to enquire' in the firsf instance of Dr E. Alarsden, secretary of the Department for Scientific and Industrial Research whether fie had gathered any information of the use of bread improvers while abroad, and also to ascertain the position in Britain, Canada, and the United States.