“MEAT PRESERVER.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1690, 24 March 1917, Page 4

“MEAT PRESERVER.”

VAST MERITS CLAIMED. UNEXPECTED EXPOSURE. During an idle moment at the pantomime a few evenings ago (says the Melbourne Argus) . the chairman of the Central Board of Health (Dr. Robertson) glanced casually at the advertisements on the programme, and his attention was attracted to one proclaiming the merits of “The Little Meat Preserver,” which, it was claimed, would keep meat and butter sweet, maintain bacon in the “pink of condition,” and prevent cakes and pastry from turning mouldy in the hottest weather. The preparation was contained in a round tin, similar to those in which tobacco is sold, but the lid was sealed to the tin by a narrow strip of paper, which purchasers were warned not to remove. To satisfy his curiosity, Dr. Robcrston purchased a sample of the “preserver,” and, on examining its contents, found that it contained two pieces of ordinary charcoal and a small quantity of common salt. “I paid Is for the tin,” said Dr. Robertson, at a meeting of the Board of Health subsequently, “but the ingredients of the preparation are not worth more than an eighteenth part of a penny.”

A member of the Board: Is the stuff of any value as a preservative ? Dr. Robertson; Charcoal will absorb bad odours, but to say that it will keep meat sweet is as sensible as to say that a carcase would be kept good by placing it alongside a burnt log. (Laughter). In answer to a question as to the identity of the “manufacturer,” Dr Robertson said that the tin did not disclose that information, hut he knew that (he (ins were obtainable from two reputable firms in the city.

Members of the Board unanimously agreed that the mailer should he investigated.