IS CANNED FRUIT INJURIOUS?

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 18, 30 April 1892, Page 456

IS CANNED FRUIT INJURIOUS?

‘ Did it ever occur to you that maybe you are eating too much canned fruit?’ asked a lady of her friend, who was complaining of indigestion, weakness and a generally good-for-nothing feeling. ‘ There seems to be a growing idea among physicians and observing persons that a great amount of canned fruit—that is the constant use of it—does harm. Just why or how I have not heard discussed.’ • Well, I have given some attention to the subject,’ was the reply, • and I think I have solved a certain phase of the mysterious reason. I think whatever injury may result from its use is traceable directly to the cans. I know numbers of persons who merely wash out new jars, then put their fruit in, and close them up. GLASS BOTTLES DANGEROUS. ‘ I recall being at the house of a friend who was very fond of fruit, and always bottled a great quantity. One evening at her house, I tasted a little of the berriesshe had just poured into the dish, and as I closed my teeth I crushed together a bit of the thinnest, most delicate shell glass. It was only a small piece, but quite enough, had I swallowed it, to produce serious, if not fatal results. My friend was amazed when I told her of the consequences of such a fragment entering the stomach. Then she began to think intently. Some years before, she had lost a child. It had always been rather delicate, but never seriously ill, but had no appetite, and seemed to lack vitality. It lived almost entirely on canned fruit—berries, cherries and the like—but complained of almost continous sharp pains in the stomach and bowels. After a time, she grew worse, and finally died, the doctor said of consumption of the bowels, The motber was very unhappy when she came to consider the possibilities of the case, and at once consulted several eminent physicians on the symptoms of the little one. They all agreed in the belief that bits of thin glass had been the direct cause of the child’s death. HOW TO USE GLASS CANS. ‘ The mother’s first impulse was to give up glass cans altogether ; but after some experiments she became satisfied that a little care and attention in the preparing of the cans made them perfectly safe. Before the cans are used, a handful of shot should be put in and thoroughly shaken about. Of course, it must be carefully done and the shot must be small, or the can will be broken. A chain dishcloth, such as is found or should be found in every wellregulated kitchen in the land, is one of the very best articles for clearing the cans of the thin shell-glass which comes from bubbles of air forming when the glass is blown. Examine every glass can and you will see these bubbles all through it. If they are very thin on the inside the heat of the boiling fruit may and very likely will crack off some pieces of the glass, which will become mixed with the fruit and is often eaten or swallowed under the impression that it is a bit of sand or grit. Cans, after one year’s use, are not likely to be dangerous to health from this cause, but even then many housekeepers of the extra particular sort go over them with shot or chain-cloth whenever they are to be refilled.

‘ Canned fruits should not be too sweet. A pleasant, slightly tart flavour is best. And if proper care is taken that in cooking no metal comes in contact with the fruit, and if the cans are thoroughly freed from shell-glass, 1 believe after a free indulgence in such fruits for many years that it is not only not injurious but is eminently wholesome and beneficial, as it certainly is delicious and convenient.’