1282 The Cornell Reading-Courses 



"A general study of all the data leads to the conclusion that the admix- 

 ture of the formaldehyde with food is injurious to health, even in the case 

 of healthy young men. It is fair to conclude, therefore, that in the case 

 of infants and children the deleterious effects woiild be more pronounced. 

 The metabolic functions are disturbed in a notable way. 



" The medical data indicate plainly that formaldehyde, even when given 

 in small quantities, is an irritating substance to the mucous membrane. 



" The final conclusion, therefore, is that the addition of formaldehyde 

 to foods tends to derange metabolism, disturb the normal functions, and 

 produce irritation and undue stimulation of the secretory activities, and 

 therefore it is never justifiable," 



Concerning the use of salicylic acid and the salicylates. — " Salicylic acid 

 and the salicylates added to food even in small quantities exert a depressing 

 and harmful influence on digestion and health and upon the metabolic 

 activities of the body." 



The law governing the use oj colors and preservatives. — The following 

 quotations are made from Circular 21, United States Department of 

 Agriculture, Office of the Secretary, " Rules and Regulations for the 

 Enforcement of the Food and Drugs Act ": 



" Regulation 15. Wholesomeness of Colors and Preservatives 



" (a) Respecting the wholesomeness of colors, preservatives, and other 

 substances which are added to foods, the Secretary of Agriculture shall 

 determine from chemical or other examination, under the authority of the 

 agricultural appropriation act. Public 382, approved June 30, 1906, the 

 names of those substances which are permitted or inhibited in food prod- 

 ucts; and such findings, when approved by the Secretary of the Treasury 

 and the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, shall become a part of these 

 regulations. 



" (b) The Secretary of Agriculture shall determine from time to time, 

 in accordance with the authority conferred by the agricultural appropria- 

 tion act. Public 382, approved June 30, 1906, the principles which shall 

 guide the use of colors, preservatives, and other substances added to 

 foods; and when concurred in by the Secretary of the Treasury and the 

 Secretary of Commerce and Labor, the principles so established shall 

 become a part of these regulations. 



" (c) It having been determined that benzoate of soda mixed with food 

 is not deleterious or poisonous and is not injurious to health, no objection 

 will be raised under the food and drugs act to the use in food of benzoate 

 of soda, provided that each container or package of such food is plainly 

 labeled to show the presence and amount of benzoate of soda. Food 

 Inspection Decisions 76 and 89 are amended accordingly. 



