Arizona republican., 1909-05-27
THE WAR GOES ON
/, OVER BENz0ATE OF SODA
The Department Does Not Accept the
Remsen Report.

Washington, d. c., May 21.-(Specia
Correspondence of The Republican,
Physicians throughout the country are
taking new interest'fn the controversy
over benzoate OF soda since the re-
port of the Remsen board was made
public. DR.. II. W-Wiley. chief chem
! list of the department of agriculture
made an elaborate series of expert
ments with benzoate of soda, and
reached the conclusion that even min
ute quantities used in preserve foods
were detrimental to health. The REM
sen board, which made a subsequent
| investigation, failed to find conclusive
ly that benzoate of soda mixed with
| food was deleterious to health, al
though some symptoms were noticed
that were not thoroughly understood
On the strength of the Remsen board s
report the Pure Food commission gave
the food manufacturers permission to
use benzoate of soda in unlimited
quantities. Physicians in general are
not prepared to accept the Remsen re-
port as the final word on the subject.
They hold to the opinion that, while
small dose 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 invalids
and children to a considerable extent.
They also believe that, while there
might not be enough in any one con-
dimental food to do great harm, the
danger is gravely increased by the
of soda can now be employed. 1t has
already. been used successfully as an
embalming agent in ketchup, soups
preserves. ample-butter, soda water
syrups, jellies, etc. and it is believed
that it will replace boracic acid in the
embalming Of roast beef. sausages
(both green and smoked). ported
tongue, ham and chicken, hamburger
steak, etc. Experiments are being
made to determine it's availability to
replace formalderyde in milk and dairy
products. The use of formaldehvde
and boracic acid having been prohibit
ed by law. while that of benzoate of
soda is sanctioned, those manufacture
ers who formerly used the other chem
Gals are turning toward sodium ben
zoate.
Physicians are interested in the sub
iect because. while benzoate of soda
is an effective embalming agent, as is
demonstrated by the Egyptian mum
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 di-
rectly affecting the kidneys. Many
physicians have already declared they
will not permit those depending on
their advice, and especially those sus-
pected of organic trouble. to eat foods
containing this powerful drug In this
connection, and significant of the rea-
son why manufacturers desire to use
this preservative. the Journal of Amer
lean Medical Association. than which
there is no higher authority. editori-
ally says: THE assumption that ben
zoate of soda in foodstuffs is not de-
leterious. based on the (Remsen)
boards experiments. is unwarranted
Benzoate of soda is incorporated in
foods either to obviate the necessity
of cleanliness in preparation or to per
init ths use of inferior products. The
use of sodium benzoate to preserve
foodstuffs has been proved unneces-
sary"
1t is significant that while the de
partner of agriculture is prevented
from interfering with manufacturers
who use benzoate of soda in their pro-
ducts, it is still uttering its warnings
to people against chemical preserva-
tives. In bulletin Just off the press
the use Of so-called preserving pow
ders," which are mainly composed of
benzoate Of soda boracic acid, formal
dehyde etc, is strongly denounced
There are a great many brands of
so-called preserving powders on the
market" says the departments bulle-
tin. These are sold not only under
advertised trade names but BY drug
gists and peddlers everywhere :
1t is true that these powders NAV
proven the decay of fruit or vegetables
but they also encourage uncleanly,
careless work. and in the hands of in
eApeIlenCeu persons may De uanger-
Gus. While with small doses the in
flnence may not be apparent in an
adult in normal health. with a child or
invalid the effect may be of serious
nature. The proven way to sterilize is
by means of heat and as this can be
done very easily and cheaply the use
Of chemical preservatives 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
packers of food.
Opinions of physicians as to the eff
feet of "embalmed" foods upon their
patients are being gathered from all
parts of the country with view to
them for future use when
the Association of State and National
Food and Dairy Departments is ready
to report its conclusions on the con-
flicting views of DIR. Wiley and the
government chemists, on the one hand,
and the Remsen board, on the other,
at the annual convention of the asso-
citation in Denver next August.
-O-