HC Deb 08 December 1927 vol 211 c1597W
Major AINSWORTH

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that in 1926–27 his Department in examining samples of liquid eggs found that one-third of the quantity were either adulterated or not up to standard, and that in 1926 28,600 tons of this article were imported into this country of which 9,533 tons may be proportionately regarded as equally unsatisfactory, he proposes to make further investigation to prevent the influx of such material which is not up to the proper standard of good human food?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I understand that some, if not all, of the samples of liquid egg which were reported against by the public analysts in 1926 were regarded as adulterated by reason of the presence of an excessive amount of boric acid preservative. The complete prohibition under the Preservatives Regulations of the presence of any preservative in egg yolk and articles prepared therefrom takes effect on the 1st January next, and as these Regulations apply to importation as well as sale it may be expected that further cases of such adulteration will not occur.