East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1909-05-27
BENzoATE OF SODA
lRx William Wolff SMITH

/
troversy over benzoate Of soda since
the report of the Remsen board was
made public. DR.. II. w. Wiley, chief
chemist of the department of agricul-
ture, made an elaborate series of eX-
periments with benzoate of soda and
reached the conclusion that even min
ute quantities used to preserve foods
We're detrimental to health. The Rem
sen Board, which made a subsequent
investigation, failed to find conclu-
sively that benZoate of soda mixed
with food was deleterious to health,
although some symptoms were noticed
that were not throughly understood,
on the strength Of the Remsen boards
report the pure food commission gave
the food manufacturers permission to
quantities. Physicians in general are
not prepared to accept the Rcmsen re-
port as the final word on the subject.
They hold to the opinion that while
small doses of the drug may possibly
not be especially injurious to healthy
young men there is no doubt that sim
liar doses are likely to effect inval-
ids and children to a considerable eX-
tent. They also believe that while
there might not be enough in any one
condimental food to do great harm,
the danger is gravely increased by
the number of foods in which benzoate
of soda can now be employed. 1t has
already been used successfully as an
preserves, apple-butter sodawater.
syrups, jellies, etc, and it is believed
that it will replace boracic acid in the
embalming roastbeef, sausages both
green and smoked. potted tongue, ham
and chicken, hamburger steak, etc.
Experiments are being made to de-
termine its availability to replace for
maldehyde in milk and dairy pro-
ducts The use of formaldehyde and
boracic acid having been prohibited by
law while that Of benzoate or soda is
sanctioned thosk manufacturers who
formerly used the other chemicals are
turning toward sodium benzoate.
Physicians are interested in the
subject because while benzoate of soda
is an effective embalming agent as is
demonstrated by the Egyptian Num-
mics which were preserved with BEN
zoic acid, it is not an effective germi-
eide, and does not kill the typhoid or
tubercular germs present in foods
where it is employed. Moreover its
use is especially injurious to invalids
suffering from kidney trouble, for
benzoic acid, which is combined with
carbonate of soda, is an irritant dir
ectly affecting the kidneys. Many
physicians have already declared they
will not permit those depending on
their advice, and especially those sus-
pected of any organic trouble, to eat
foods containing this powerful drug. In
this connection, and significant of the
reason manufacturers desire to use
this perservative, the Journal Of Ame-
rican Medical association, than which
there is no higher authority, editorial
ly says: THE Assumption that benzoate
of soda in foodstuffs is not deleterious,
based on the (Remsen) boards expert
ments. is unwarranted. Benzoate. of
soda is incorporated in foods either
to obviate the necessity of cleanliness
in preparation or to permit the use of
inferior products. The use of sodium
benzoate TO preserve foodstuffs has
been proved unnecessary"
1t is significant that while the De-
partment of Agricultre is prevented
from interfering with manufacturers
ducts it is still uttering its warnings
to people against chemical preserva-
tives. In a bulletin just off the press
the use of so-called preserving pow
dcrs' which are mainly composed of
benzoate of soda, boracic acid, for
maldehyde, ETC., is strongly denounced
There are a great many brands of So
called preserving powders on the mar
ket." says the Departments bulletin.
These are sold not only under adver-
tised trade names but by druggists and
peddlers everywhere, 1t is true that
these powders may prevent the decay
of the fruit or vegetable but also en-
courage uncleanly. careless work, and
in the hands of inexperienced persons
may be dangerous. While with small
roses the influence may not be appar-
ent in an adult in normal health, with
child or invalid the effect may be of
serious nature. The proper way to
sterilize is by means of heat, and as
this can be done very easily and chetp-
ly the use of chemical presentations
in canning is not recommended"
The same arguments were employed
by DR.. Wiley and the other govern
ment chemists against the use Of ben
zoate of soda and other chemicals by
commercial packers of food.
Opinions of physicians as to the ef-
feet of "embalmed" foods upon their
patients are being gathered from all
parts of the country with a view Of
complying them for future use when
the association of state and national
food and dairy departments is ready
to report it's conclusions on the con-
flicting views of Dr. Wiley and the
government chemists, on the one
hand, and the Remsen board, on the
other, at the annual convention Of the
association tn Denver next August
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