The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1909-01-29
THE eENzoATE DECISION.

Commenting on the recent OeclslOn
of the board of referee chemists that
benzoate Of soda is not dangerous to
health-The New York Journal OF
Commerce says:
A most important step in connection
with the enforcement OF the pure food
law has been taken by the department
of agriculture In making known the
findings of the board of referee chem
lists regarding benzoate of soda. The
report shows that the chemists found
no reason for regarding the drug In
question as unwholesome, and that the
outcome of the Investigations Is abso-
lutely at variance with the views that
have been expressed by DR.. Harvey
w. Wiley, chief of the bureeu Of chem
istry. Further reading Of the fuil re-
port of the board when that document
shall have appeared and careful weigh
ing Of the experiments In comparison
with those of DR.. Wiley may lead ex-
perts to differ with the conclusions of
the board. This, however, Is for the
future to determine. The fact remains
that the boards own conclusions from
its experiments are in favor Of benzoate
and against the ideas of the bureau
of chemistry. In the absence OF some
very positive and direct evidence tend
ing to cast suspicion upon this report,
coming as the document does from men
of unquestioned standing, there will be
little disposition to doubt the showing
there made.
The question which should be fairly
faced in connection with the decision
is. however, not an abstract problem In
physiological chemistry. Wholesome or
| unwholesome, it will remain doubtful
whether the use of this drug In foods
ought to be permit ed. Its use has al
ready been antagolized in some of the
states, not on the ground of it's injuri-
Gus properties, but because 1T may be
employed to conceal inferiority in the
articles which contain 1t. If by the
introduction of benzoate of soda 1t is
possible to use vegetables that are on
the point of decay, milk that has be-
come stale, or ingredients that are moi
of first class character, the case against
the preservative is as strong from the
pure food standpoint as 1t ever was
That such results do come from its use
is the contention not only Of the bu-
reau of chemistry, but or the food COM
missfoners of some of the states, OF
numerous experts upon food chemistry
and of physicians. as we'll as of many
manufacturers. If the consumer were
left free in every instance to choose
between a preserved food and one that
had not been SO treated he would un-
doubtedHy choose the latter and would
be supported in SO doing by a very
large body of scientific testimony
Whether, in view of this situation, the
government Is called upon to exclude
benzoate from foods in any amount IL
"a serious question upon which very diff
ferent opinions are entertained. i
should be settled at the earliest posi-
BILE moment. If the verdict Is adverse
to further action, as it probably will b:
on the part Of the federal government
there is no more to be said until new
legislation Is passed. But IL the view
be taken that the administration eithe
of the national or state governmenti
has any further concern in the matte
the controversy should be pressed to :
judicial determination with the IeaS
possible delay. Meanwhile, 1t Is no
Z prejudging the case to say that tht
/.
very injurious if 1t brings about al
increase In the use Of artificial meanl
, for unduly prolonging the apparen
.. freshness c3 animal and vegetable
foods.
How this decision will affect th
E work of the bureau of chemistry AM
the administration of the national foo,
and drugs act is matter that ough
to receive careful thought. Even
z it should then be found that the bureau
of chemistry has erred on the side o
over -stringency. 1t should be remem
bered that it's work has been that Of
n pioneer and that it's rulings have bee
q in the decided interest of the publ
= health. The board of referee chemist
itself took the view that the probler
presented to IL was not dealt with 1
c an adequate way in existing scientifl
: literature II this be the case the mos
that can be said is that the bureau q
chemistry, and the board Of food an
drug inspection which approved TIL
: original benzoate of soda ruling, Wer
If over particular in9the public interel
= and were inclined to resolve the
doubts on the side of the general goo,
= That this is an attitude too rare anon
= public men and deserving OF the mos
II respectful regard when 1t Is found I
y exist is a proposition with which fe'
are likely to quarrel. On no accour
70 should DR.. Wiley be allowed 10 resigi
g a. The lid lifters are having son,
I exciting sessions over the state---bs