PRESERVATIVES IN FOOD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2856, 9 December 1908, Page 6

PRESERVATIVES IN FOOD.

The British authorities have not received much confirmation of their views regarding the use of boric acid as a food pieservaUve from the proceedings of the International Feed Congress, recently held at Geneva. The congress, it may be mentioned, was held under the auspices of the Society of the White Cross of Geneva, whose stated object is the repression of frauds in food and medicines, and upwards of 400 delegates were present, all parts of the world being represented, although Fiance with 250 of the number exercised * r i predominant influence — not, however. 60 far as is shown by the reports, in an obstructive or otherwise objectionable manner. The various questions submitbed were discussed from a commercial as well as a scientific point of view, and this has to be kept in mind in consideiing the conclusions which -were ariived at, though many of these were leally inconclusive. A large portion of the proceedings was occupied in formulating definitions of various articles of food and drink, and those do not diffei- materially from those lecognised in British law. The addition of any preservative other than common .salt to butter was opposed by many of the French delegates, but favoured by

others of the British section. The chief ground taken by the opponents was not that the preservative was injurious to health, but that its use gave the manufacturer or manipulator an unfair advantage over the producer or farmer. No decision was come to on thds important question, but the feeling of the conference is interpreted as being that boric preservative is necessary in all butters which have to be kept foi" any length of time beyond a few days before being consumed. In meats, also, the necessity for some, other preserving agent in addition to salt Was recognised, as also was" the value of boric acid as a means of preventing the development of ptomaines in meat used as fresh and in sausages and certain other forms. Due steps will be taken to impress •these views upon the respective authorities, aud the important announcement is made "that what will practically form a British branch of the society is to be constituted, which will give scientific as well as commercial attention to the purity and wholesomeness of foods and drugs The whole matter is very greatly in need of being brought into order from its present state of confusion and uncertainty.