BUTTER PRESERVATIVES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 209, 4 March 1914, Page 4

BUTTER PRESERVATIVES.

AMERICAN EMBARGO. CONSIGNMENTS CONDEMNED, By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Last I'eht. The strict prohibition against the use of preservative in butter, which is enforced by tlic Federal Food and Drops' Department under the law of the United States, recently caused the condemnation of two consignments of New Zealand butter. The reason Riven for tho decision was that it contained "definite traces of boric acid." No finality hm yet been readied in the controversy r«garding the eirect of adding boric acid to butter as a preservative.. In the meantime, the law of New Zealand permits the use of not more than 38 grains per pound, and ft certain poreentigo i» allowed ill butter manufactured for the English market. On the other hand, the American law will not permit the importation of butter containing any nreservative other than salt. The big port of Seattle, Washington, is at present probably the largest consumer of Australian and New Zealand produce, and it happened that when the first consignment of 1000 boxes was condemned on its arrival <in November 16, there hid been a great deal of spoliation. Colonial butter had been selling nt a 1 ws, iin.l the withdrawal of this f|«nutitv eased Hie position for a niiuber of "iobbers.'' The second con.-imminent of 40') boxes wis condemned' towards the end of Janu:ir<\ Dairr companies are adopting strict precautions to keep acid out of their produce, irs the slightest trace of boric, acid detected in butter bv th« United States analyst IhaiL to Its condemnation.