The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1909-05-18
AMERICAN HOMES
WILL BE INVADED

ducts, and even more interest in be-
ing displayed by the manufacturers of
other foods who have hitherto been
prevented from using preservatives
but who see in benzoate of soda their
possible salvation.
Il is doubtful if the sweeping char
acter of the decision has been appre-
ciated by even a small portion of the
public concerned. 1t was originally
proposed to prohibit altogether the use
of benZOate of soda in foods, on the
ground that it was a chemical pre-
servative the employment of which
was deleteriOus to health. Under
great pressure a modification was Sc
cured allowing the temporary use Of
one-tenth of on per cent in foods
where the preservative had formerly
been used. With the Wilson Stra US
Cortelyou decision, however, the doors
were thrown wide open and at present
the drug can be mixed with any and
all kinds of foods and in any amount
to suit the manufacturer The latter
is limited only by the amount the
trade will stand for, and no one has
yet predicted what that limit will be
lnzoate of soda is thus recognized as
the only chemical preservative the use
of which is authorized by the govern
men in unlimited quantities. Some OF
the foods in which it has been USED
and in which it will certainly appear
this summer are: Jellies, jams anC
preserves; ketchup, Chill sauce and
picked lily; peach, apple, plum and
apricot butter; cider and grape juice
mince-meat and filling for all kinds of
pies; canned soups and bOuillOns and
| articles of similar character Under
the recent decision, however, other
products can now be preserved by this
particular chemical. Among them are
the syrups and fruit compounds served
at saltwater fountains. 1t is true the
regulations provide that each con-
tainer shall be plainly labeled to show
! the presence and amount of benzoate
! OF soda, but in the case of soda-Watel
| fountains the containers are generally
kept in the cellar while the syrups are
drawn from the fountain and the
fruits are served from bowls. These
need not, and it is unnecessary to say
will not show the presence or amount
of benzoate of soda. The same is true
of bulk foods in the grocery stores
such as butter in the tub. cheese il
the case, milk in the can, etc. In sucl
cases the consumer will have little CD
portunity of knowing whether or no
benzoate of soda is used
Nor are the meat packers overlook
ing the permission so broadly give,
TO use unlimited quantities of thi
chemical preservative in their mea
products, such as ''potted" chicken. fur
key ham and tongue; canned roas
beef, cOrned beef or whole tongue
and above all in their sausages. Sine,
they were deprived of boracic acid
winch gave the world the term "em
balmed beef they have been at sea
out .benzoate of soda has come to thei
rescue. In the cans chemically pre-
served meats must bear the label, bu
what will the consumer know abou
string of sausages, green-sausage
or smoked sausage, when purchase,
from the butchers counter?
Even more than meats and othe
IoooS preserved with the condemne,
boracic acid are those preserved will
the approved benzoic acid entitled +,
pear the prefix ''embalmed" for Will,
porax and boraoic acid are compare.
lively modern discoveries benzoic acif
was employed in embalming some 5000
years ago, and to its wonderful nre.
serving qualities we owe the Egvntiar
mummies. There was a difference
however, in this, that while the an.
clents obtained their benzoic acid firm,
aromatic gums, modern chemistry has
discovered that it can be produced from,
coal-tar and the urine of cattle and
horses from which sources wnat is
known as "commercial' benzoic acid
Is now exclusively obtained.
save shoe leather nv rs,r- A..