Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-09
SAUSAGE ON THE GRILL
Health Office Attack on Stand
ard Article of Food.
DANGER MAY LURK IN DOG"
Saltpeter, Wheat, Corn and Spices
Swell the Skins.
ESTHETIC PORK Is HERE
Starch Used to Please the Eye at
Breakfast Table-New Light
on Old Question.

The health officer Of the District has
asked the Secretary of Agriculture for an
official opinion as to the healthfulness of
nitrate of potash. or saltpeter. as it is more
commonly termed and whether or not Its
presence in food Is in violation of the pure
food law.
This information was asked for some time
ago and the health officer and his assist
ants are awaiting Secretary Wilson'S reply
with much interest.
DR.. Woodward considers his interest In
this matter very natural In view OF the fact
that as result of an investigation OF some
meat houses in the District with particular
reference to the condition of sausage 1t de-
veloped that every sample of smoked sau-
sage analysed was found to contain fair
sized proportion of Saltpeter as we'll as
other foreign matter. such as corn. wheat
and spices. In the green sausage only corn.
wheat and spices were found.
Findings Kept Secret.
This sausage investigation was conducted
last April by DR.. H. l.. Lynch. chief chem
list of the District. and the report on his
findings has for some unexplained reason
been kept secret. not even the Commission
ers having been acquainted with the condi-
tons. 1t Is said that this secretive step
was taken In order that nothing would be
published about the investigation until the
from. but when the report was called to
the attention of the Commissioners today
they saw no reason for not permitting Its
publication.
Dr. Lynch stated that the use of salt
peter In the making of smoked sausage was
for the purpose of preserving the product
and to give the meat it's bright, natural
color. DIR. Lynch personally believes the
use of saltpeter In the manufacture of sau-
sage is not only in violation Of the pure
food law, but Is exceptionally unhealthy.
He says In small doses 1t affects the liver
and in larger doses affects the lining of the
stomach. causing an irritation and slow
weak pulse and general depression. Pol
sonous quantities. one-half ounce or more,
he says. produce severe gastro-entertis,
commissions and occasionally death"
He declares that saltpeter Is not classed
among the food preservatives. but it's use in
certain meat products Is a common prac-
tice and should be prohibited. During re-
cent years. he stated many sudden
deaths have been ascribed to heart failure
May not these deaths be due. In a large
measure. to the cumulative effects Of small
doses of poisonous food preservatives?"
New Light on Sausage.
In his report upon the sausage investiga-
ton DR.. Lynch said Ground cereals are
often added to sausage meat as filters in
order to permit the use of greater amount
of water than would otherwise be possible.
thereby cheapening the product; also it
makes possible the incorporation Of an
amount of fat. In the case of smoked sau-
sage 1t may be added for esthetic purposes.
1t a smoke sausage free from starch be
boiled it will shrivel. and when placed on
the breakfast table will not be thing of
beauty or tend to increase ones appetite;
II. however. small proportion of starch
has been added to the meat. on cooking the
will swell, and when placed on the
table look plump and inviting. From san
itary point of view starch of course is I'M
objec tionable, but If added in large quanti-
ties 1t reduces the food value of the sau-
sage as a meat and the consumer Is en-
titled to know by printed label that a SUBJ
stance has been added. and such notice
should always be given"
DR.. Lynch says it is likely that prosecu-
tons will follow this investigation. and the
prosecutions will be made by the local
health authorities upon the direction of the
Secretary of Agriculture.