FOOD EXPORTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 October 1924, Page 3

FOOD EXPORTS.

PRESERVATIVES CONDEMNED. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. OAm.l AHSOCIAMO.N 'LONDON. October 20. The report of the .Ministry <0 Health’s Committee on preservatives and colouring matters in food, while expressing the general opinion that, the use of preservatives is points out with reference to the Billiot process : —"We. recognise, however, thaL the problem of keeping meat in good condition in a tropical climate, sucb as exists in parts of Australia, where suitable refrigerating lacilitics arc unavailable, dilfcrs I cum any in

this eomitrv. The pmhlrlu rrst.lvss itscir into a balancing of Ibe evils of rboiiiical preservation against the in

convenience, which may accrue Irma I lie adoption ol such a process. A decision in this respect can be properly reached only with a wider knowledge that we possess of all the circumstances as to local requirements and exigencies."

Reiterating disapproval ol the treatment of meat with sulphurous acid, or sulphites, the report declares: “ The objections apply In Ballot with even greater force, since, according to the evidence, dioxide has been found throughout the whole of the meat in appreieable amounts. ( olisideratioii of this process seems to point to the conclusion that some other substance having antiseptic action is produced, and ici nlorces the action ol 11 it* sulphur dioxide. Moieoyer, the appearance of the meat is inferior to that if other imported meat whether chilled or frozen. It is unlikely such meat will find favour in the United Kingdom, or be a commercial success. More important, still, is the fact that all the meat imported into Great Britain is tree from preseivafives anil to sanction the use of preservatives in any imported meat would be a step towards debasing ihe quality of our meat supply, which we are not prepared to recommend.” Regarding butter, the Committee consider that it is reasonable to infer that it is possible to dispense with pie servatives in Australia and New Zealand as mailv factories there dispense entirely with them. They, theroloro. recommend that, after a period of two vears. the addition of any preservatives lie prohibited, as that time should he ample to make such adnistmeiifs in methods as to enable all the butter to be produced and sold without preservatives. The requirements !JS to compulsory pasteurisation, which were recei.tlv imposed in Australia, will, it is believed, help to improve tno keeping quality.