Report of the Director-General of Public Health, New South Wales.

  • New South Wales. Department of Public Health.
Date:
[1937]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of the Director-General of Public Health, New South Wales. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    28/154 (page 18)
    1R Carboxide as a Fumigant for Foodstuffs.—Carboxide is a mixture of ethylene oxide with carbon dioxide in the proportion of approximately 1 of the former to 8 of the latter. The question of its use as a fumigant for food substances was brought forward during the year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, in the course of an investigation some ten years ago, found ethylene oxide to be highly toxic to certain species of insects. It is stated that those commonly infesting food products, etc., can be easily killed by the vapours of ethylene oxide in concentrations that can be used without danger from fire and are not dangerous to human beings. No deleterious effect was noticeable on foods such as nut meats and dried fruits when exposed to the commercial dosage of the fumigant for twenty-four hours. Later it was found that the addition of 7-15 vols. of carbon dioxide to 1 vol. of ethylene oxide gives a mixture which is non- inflammable under all conditions at normal temperatures and pressures, and which materially increases the toxicity of ethylene oxide to insect life. While no -work has been carried out by me in this connection, it would appear from the result of the American experiments that carboxide may safely be used for extermination of insect pests in stored foods, etc. A.P.C. Powders.—The question of the quality of A.P.C. powders retailed by the cheaper stores was brought under notice during the course of an inquiry regarding chain stores. It was claimed by those advocating the restriction to chemists of the sale of these powders that the articles sold by the cheaper stores were of inferior quality, in many instances starch and other filling agents being used. Fifteen samples, purchased mostly from the cheaper stores, were submitted for analysis, and in no instance was starch found. Powder prepared to a similar formula and put out under two brands by one firm was found to contain approximately 50 per cent, of lactose, and to be deficient in the named constituents. This was the only instance of filling detected, and appropriate action was taken to penalise the manufacturer and prevent the distribution of any further powders. In four other instances one or more of the constituents was deficient in. weight, ranging from approximately 15 to 50 per cent. Prosecution certificates were issued in regard to the greater deficiencies. With regard to the suggestion that a definite standard for A.P.C. powders and tablets be formulated, it hardly seems advisable to prescribe a fixed composition for these preparations, in view of the wide range in the proportions of the constituents in the genuine articles of good quality on the market . The public can be sufficiently safeguarded by the enforce¬ ment of the provisions of Regulation 71 requiring the declaration of the quantity or proportion of the acetylsalicylic acid and plienacetin present. Malt Extract and Cod Liver Oil.—The present standard under the Act for Malt Extract and Cod Liver Oil requires 15 per cent, by weight of cod liver oil. In view of the fact that the British Pharmacopoeia (with which certain of the States are in agreement ) prescribes 10 per cent, by weight of cod liver oil, it was recommended that the clause in the regulation prescribing the cod liver oil content be deleted, thus permitting the Pharmacopoeial standard to take effect. This recommendation has not been given effect to. The following Table gives particulars of the whole of the adulterations recorded :— Nature of Sample, Number of Adulterated Samples. Particulars of Adulteration. Bread, Brown . 3 Not prepared from whole grain. Wholemeal . 2 Excess flour added. Brine. Pumping . i Considerable quantity of foreign matter and impurity. Butter. 5 Excess moisture. Cake . i Contained lime. Casein . i Rancid. Cheese. i Presence of permitted preservative not declared. Chocolate coating. i Term “chocolate” misleading; contained considerable quantity of hydrogenated arachis oil. Cocoanut. Desiccated 6 Rancid and unfit for consumption. Coffee and Chicory . 1 Contained excess chicory. Cordials . 1 Labelled “double strength”; term not applicable; contained added citric acid. 4 Contained excess preservative. 2 Contained preservative other than that declared. 4 Presence of artificial colouring not declared. 2 Artificially flavoured. Cream . 5 Deficient in milk-fat. (Pasteurised) . 19 Raw cream. Dessert . 1 Artificial colouring and flavouring present and not declared. Custard Powder . .3 Enamel Ware . 2 Contained antimony and did not comply with solubility tests. Essences. Flavouring . 7 Deficient in alcohol. 2 Deficient in citral. 2 Presence of artificial colouring not declared. 2 Lead number did not comply with standard. Fish. Smoked . i Coloured with an aniline dye. ., Tinned. i Excess metallic contamination. Flour, Self-raising . 5 Deficient in carbon dioxide. 3 Statement on label regarding “rising agent ” misleading. Fruit, Pried . 2 Deteriorated and unfit for consumption. „ Fresh . 7 Excess arsenical contamination. Ginger, Ground . 1 Excess lime. Ice Cream . 7 Deficient in milk-fat. Ice Cream Stabiliser . 2 Prohibited thickening agent. Jams . 4 Contained foreign fruit pulp. 2 Deficient in fruit. i Presence of artificial colour not declared.