BORIC ACID IN BUTTER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15548, 4 March 1914, Page 11

BORIC ACID IN BUTTER

STRICT AMERICAN LAW.

TWO PARCELS CONDEMNED

ACCIDENTAL CAUSES.

WARNING TO ©AIRY FARMERS

The strict prohibition against the use of preservative in butter enforced by the Federal Food and Drugs Department under the law of the United States recently caused the condemnation of two consignments of Now Zealand butter. The reason given for the decision against this butter was that it contained ''definite traces of boric acid." In view of the developing trade with the United States, exporters of butter are giving some attention to the necessity of protecting themselves against the loss involved by the condemnation of shipments in which the presence of preservatives is detected by the Federal officers.

No finality has yet been reached in the controversy regarding the effect of adding horacic 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, tie 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 10000 boxes was condemned on its arrival on November 15, there had been a great deal of speculation, the colonial butter had 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. How Preservative is Introduced. The condemnation of these two consignments is not evidence of any attempt to evade the Federal law, for other shipments have met the same fate, and manufacturers in New Zealand are fully aware of the necessity for a scrupulous care to meet the requirements of a law that is enforced to the very letter. From inquiries which were made yesterday afternoon, it was gathered that the presence of boric acid was probably due to one or other of two causes. One of these is apparently recognised in America by the trade, though not by the vigilant Federal officer, who apparently condemns upon the discovery of the faintest trace by the Department's chemist. This "trace"_may be introduced in the butter during the process of manufacture, for a sufficient quantity of acid to be detected by analysis, may be gathered by the butter as it passes through machinery which has been used in the making of preservatised butter for the English or the ! local market. It, is known that boracic i acid -is used by some suppliers to dairy factories to preserve milk or cream until it is delivered to the factory. This us© of Sreservatives is now generally contested y the factories, for although the boracic acid_ employed by one farmer may be negligible in the product of a churning, experience has proved that it may give just that " trace" for which the Federal officer is watching. , Precautions Being Taken. Special precautions are now being taken by some manufacturers to guard against the introduction of preservative, through, its use by suppliers, and by analysing in turn the raw produce, the manufactured article, and finally by obtaining a'Government grader's certificate of its freedom from any of the boron compounds. Although no general action has yet been taken, it is probable that efforte will be made to secure an arrangement by which the Federal officers will accept certificates from the factory and a Government grader that the butter is free from preservatives. Exporters are agreed that while the law stands there should be some guarantee against the condemnation of shipments, which can then only be sent to Canada or returned to New Zealand, a Ices being incurred whichever course is followed. Apparently the reputation of New Zealand produce is not in any danger, even in the American market, from the condemnation of shipments owing to preservatives, as the effect of the law is properly appreciated in the trade, but the risk to exporters of direct loss on condemned butter is a serious matter.