§ 64. Sir F. Markhamasked the Minister of Food whether his Department have now had conversations with the Food Manufacturers' Federation regarding the use of sulphur dioxide as a preservative for foodstuffs; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that when such preservatives are used a notification to that effect should be included on the label of the container holding such foodstuffs.
Dr. HillDiscussions with the Federation on the use of sulphur dioxide in fruit pulp were held in February last. They were informed that further discussions must await the results of the Department's examination of the general problem of preservative in foodstuffs on which they would be fully consulted. Any further action must depend on the results of the examination which will necessarily take some time.
§ 65. Mr. G. Darlingasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that many substances and ingredients used in the manufacture and processing of foodstuffs do not have a nutritional value and that some are injurious to health; and if he will take steps to see that the public is properly safeguarded.
Dr. HillIt is an offence under the present law to add any substance to food so as to make the food injurious to health. Clauses 1, 3 and 4 of the Food and Drugs Amendment Bill would strengthen the law in this respect.