ADULTERANTS IN FOOD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20958, 22 February 1930, Page 11

ADULTERANTS IN FOOD.

TO THE EDITOR. p yn:.—There may be just cause for differing _ from the leader of the Labour Party in many of his opinions, yet no unprejudiced mind can fail to award him a meed of praise upon a speech recorded in Hansard of November 8, 1929 That utterance deals with food adulterationa very important concern. If it be taken for granted that he spoke truly, his remarks should cause very* grave concern especially to those who have the welfare ot the rising generation at heart. It seems a strange state of affairs that permits, to some extent, food adulteration. Yet such would seem to be the case at present Mr Holland affirmed that between 50 and 100-. firms in New Zealand carry on trade in food and drink adulteration. The statement was apparently unchallenged. Can such things be, it may well be asked, in this day of grace and in this young country, having - the name for being so progressive in all that helps the general welfare? . These firms continues Mr Holland, advertise 582~ different food adulterants, all of which are permitted under, our New Zealand -Act. In nearly every case these affect children,s food. Mr Holland cited leading medical authorities, whose opinion went to prove that adulterants have no food value, but were used to cheapen ,the cost of production and to enlarge profits. Then, after referring to some imported English and American food and drink colourings, with ho food value, but possibly harmful, he scored a point in asking, why, instead of importing these imitations, we did not manufacture such', essences in pure form from home-grown fruits, and so provide New Zealand and Islands citrus fruits with a good market’ Why not, indeed? Not only would this course be patriotic, but it would be more healthful. Mr Holland refers to the menace of cancer, when he quoted a wellknown writer as stating, on scientific authority, as follows:—“Cancer is by no means a mystery disease. It is a disease of civilisation, caused by dietetic

mistakes and chronic - poisoning, due to chemically-preserved and coloured foodstuffs.” it has apparently been proved that the largest percentage of deaths from cancer occurs in cases of food adulteration, the least among theses who partake of plain food. Lastly it may he ’notedas a palpable hit by Mr Holland, when he gives the opinion of a well-established firm, whose name is a household word throughout New. Zealand, and possibly beyond its shores. This firm says that it had been manufacturing its products for 30 years without recourse to foreign substances. . “ Many dines,” it continued, “ were made cheaper without addition of needless expensive adulterations. Retailers charged consumers the same for the adulterated as for the'pure product.'' Is it not high time that something was done to effect a better state of affairs in this important regard? There can he but one answer to such a question. Sincerely hoping that those most responsible for the present state of affairs, especially our health authorities, will be aroused to take decisive action that will result in real betterment for every member of the community,—-i am, etc., J. D. B.