HC Deb 18 April 1923 vol 162 cc2042-4
44. Mr. J. HOPE SIMPSON

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the import of liquid yolk of egg into the United States of America is absolutely prohibited on the ground of the excessive amount of preservative used in its preparation; whether any percentage limit of preservative is imposed by his Department as a condition of import and, if so, what that percentage is?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I have no definite information as to the first part of the question. The amount of boric acid preservative in liquid egg yolk imported into this country is not limited by any specific official Regulation, but the trade generally have agreed to restrict the amount used to 1.5 per cent.

Mr. HARDIE

Is it not a fact that the more an egg is decayed the more boric acid it will take?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

It would be too late to preserve if it was decayed.

Mr. J. H. SIMPSON

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in the case of cream manufactured in England, we have to put on the package a certificate of the amount of boric acid in the material we sell, and is there any reason why this should not be extended to imported preserved liquid eggs?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

In view of the agreement that has been come to, I think we might wait and see what happens.

Mr. HARDIE

What is the percentage of boric acid in the present Cabinet?

52. Mr. SIMPSON

asked the Minister of Health whether any shipments of liquid yolk of egg from China were rejected or condemned by his Department in the year 1922 owing to the excessive amount of preservative used, or for other reasons; and what steps, if any, are taken by his Department to ensure that preparations of such preserved yolk of egg are not used in food-stuffs to the detriment of the public health?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

The seizure of unsound food with a view to its condemnation is not undertaken by my Department, but by local authorities, including port,sanitary authorities. I understand that about 200 tons of liquid yolk were dealt with as unsound by the London authorities in 1922, but I am not aware whether any proportion of these consignments was condemned owing to an excessive amount of preservative. The arrangements made for the protection of the public against the excessive consumption of preservative due to the use of liquid egg are set out in a Circular issued to local authorities by my Department on the 20th ultimo. I am sending the hon. Member a copy.