DRUGS IN FOOD.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4581, 2 July 1923, Page 3

DRUGS IN FOOD.

BIG DOSES OF ACIDS. DEMAND FOR AN INQUIRY. Efforts are being made by public health authorities throughout England to check the extensive use of preservatives in food (states the "Overseas Daily-" Mail), and appeals are being made t,o the Ministry of Health to place limits tp the use of these drugs. A committee has been appointed by the Ministry to inquire into the question. The use of preservatives in food has been carried to such an extent that many people may be taking in daily diet four or five times as much boric acid as a doctor would think himself justified in prescribing. Dr, F. G. Allan, the medical officer of the Westminster said to a reporter, “There is no doubt that they are detrimental to the public health.” “All antiseptic substances are more or less poisons and unfit for mixture with foods habitually used,” said a London physician. "Salicylic acid interferes with digestion. The use of formaldehyde was strongly condemned by the Local Government Board Committee which went into the question some years igo, but it is extensively used la fumigating the holds of ships carrying chilled meat, and penetrates into the meat.

“The use of these preservatives enables the sale of milk and fish as fresh when they are not fresh. They are particularly dangerous for children and invalids.

“Under the present, system some of ls take boric acid in our bacon for breakfast, in brawn, potted meats, and fish, butter, margarine, cakes, meat pies, and in almost, everything we eat.

"We get salicylic acid in coffee, cordials, jams, meat pies, wines, and other fopds and drinks. “At present many of us are consuming far more of these drugs in our food than the British Pharmacopoeia permits as a maximum dose.

•‘The Ministry of Health should certainly do something for our protection.”