§ 79. Captain CAZALETasked the President of the Board of Trade whether there is a shortage of sugar in this country; whether he is aware of the extent to which jams and other preserves are still being manufactured with glucose as a 1206 substitute; and if he will make inquiries into this matter, with the view to restricting the continued use of glucose in these manufactures, if unnecessary, and as being against the interests of public health and pure food consumption?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am informed that, so far as can be judged, there is no evidence of any shortage of cane sugar in this country. I understand that some manufacturers use a proportion of glucose in jam making, but the question of the proper composition of jam is a matter of interpretation of the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts, and I have no power to impose any special restrictions on the use of glucose. I am advised that no objection can be taken, on grounds of public health, to the use of pure glucose in food.