ARSENIC IN FOOD.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11167, 30 January 1904, Page 4

ARSENIC IN FOOD.

The report of the Eoyal Commission on arsenical poisoning which was appointed in England in 1901, in consequence of, the serious epidemic which had occurred diir--ing the previous year from the consumption of arsenical beer in. some parts of the Northern and Midland districts, has been published. The Commission was directed to inquire into- the circumstances and extent of this ' epidemic, to - apply 'sjjie~ lessons of the outbreak' in investigating the means by which beer and other articles of food and drink are liable to become contaminated by arsenic, and to consider the precautions which should be adopted by food annfacturers and health authorities in order that such contamination may

be avoided. The report shows that, besides beer, other and important articles of food and drink may contain arsenic in the absence of proper precautions. Glucose is an ingredient of several foods in everyday use; and sulphuric acid is employed in the .preparation of a variety of food substances other than glucose, such as table syrups,' treacle, and some kinds of vinegar. The report also" draws attention to the ■ frequent presence of considerable amounts of arsenic in glycerine, which is a common ingredient in cakes, as well as in several mineral and coal-tar colouring matters used in the preparation of food, and in certain so-called "foo3s" intended as substitutes for meat extracts, and consisting largely of brewers' yeast and malt. The importance of such contaminations depends largely upon the. great susceptibility of some individuals to arsenical poisoning; and on this ground the Commissioners refuse to regard any quantity of arsenic in food, However smail, as negligible, more especially as by the exercise of due care. even the- smallest amounts may be excluded. But for. practical purposes, in view of the great delicacy of the

"available tests, by which it is easy to recognise 'the presence of so small a pro-

portion of arsenic as ; the one-thousandth of a grain in the pound when using no more, than half-an-ounce. for analysis, they specify proportions which in their opinion should without question be held fb Tender a givejb... substance unfit for use in food preparations. These .'proportions, whether infih'e case of an ingredient of food, or of a product on sale to the public and consequently- liable to be taken for analysis under the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts, should in no instance exceeS one-hun-dredth of a grain of arsenic per Ib, or, in the case of fluids, one-hundredfh of a grain per gallon. ... The Commissioners are unanimous in recommending that more efficient use should be made ' of the system of public analysts, and that the Local Government Board, by means of a small expert staff, should advise and direct the work of local authorities under the Acts to a much greater extent than has hitherto been possible: They recommend] legislation to amend the law of "warranty," so that responsibility can be brought home to the person actually con- r cerned in the adulteration or contamination of food, ."and also to empower the Local' Government Board to fix official "standards,", when such are required for the^purposes of the Acts, after suitable inquiry afe which the interests of manufacurer and customer are properly represented. It is to be hoped that legislation will speedily be introduced in order to give effect, to these recommendations, which are obviously essential for the protection of the public, and which have already . been strongly urged on the Government by previous committees of inquiry. .^