1054 FOODS AND FOOD ADULTERANTS. 



doses of this metal are not dangerous, but that absolute innocuousness has not been 

 shown for small but oft repeated doses ; interested as we are in the industry of pre- 

 serving foods, an industry whose methods can not be completely transformed in a 

 day ; we recommend, without approving the principle of greening with copper, to 

 tolerate temporarily the use of copper up to a certain limit. 



This limit is placed at the smallest amount of copper which investigation has 

 shown to be sufficient to impart the desired color. It appears to be 18 mg per kilo 

 of peas or other vegetable taken without juice, or 6 mg per can (demi-bolte). The 

 amount is slightly more than is found in farinaceous foods, but less than the amount 

 contained in chocolate. 



It is advisable to prosecute canners who use larger proportion of copper, or who 

 use zinc or any other metal. 



It seems also advisable to allow this temporary and limited toleration in order to 

 gain time for the investigation of new methods which can be successfully substituted 

 for those in general use to-day. 



The introduction of lead solder into alimentary substances preserved in cans made 

 of tin plate has given rise to poisoning. The custom is to be deplored. Manufac- 

 turers are urged to substitute other means not involving the use of materials pro- 

 scribed by law and not constituting serious danger to public health. 



The report of this commission was adopted by the Congress. 



In 1879 Gautier published a paper 1 which is substantially the same 

 as the report just abstracted. 



On March 15, 1878, M. Pasteur reported 2 to the Paris prefect of police 

 the results of the examination of twenty- five samples of canned veg- 

 etables submitted to him. Six samples were found to contain copper. 

 Prosecutions were instituted against the vendors of these samples and 

 the matter laid before the procureur of the Kepublic. He submitted 

 samples of the goods which had been seized to a commission composed 

 of MM. Brouardel, Eiche, and Magnier de la Source. They were in- 

 structed to report as to the quantity present, to decide whether its 

 presence constituted an adulteration, and if its presence was danger- 

 ous to health of the consumer. This committee reported in substance 

 as follows : 3 



Adulteration may be defined to be the addition to an article of food of a foreign 

 substance for the purpose of fraud or gain. Fraud does not exist in this case, inas- 

 much as the practice is sufficiently well known. The manufacturers whom we vis- 

 ited cheerfully gave all desired information. The fact of the addition has been 

 published by Galippe and Gautier, to the latter of whom it was communicated 

 in an official way by the president of the association of Parisian canners. How- 

 ever, if it be not an adulteration it is certainly a violation of the law. 



In spite of the existence of the prohibitive regulations, the packing of copper- 

 greened vegetables is a prosperous industry. Paris and its vicinage pack (yearly) 

 4,000,000 to 5,000,000 cans (demi-boltes), each holding about 300 grams; Nantes and 

 Brittany, 4,000,000; Bordeaux, 4,000,000 to 5,000,000; Angers, Le Mans, etc., 3,000,000 

 to 4,000,000; and Perigueux, Cahors, Agen, 2,000,000 to 3,000,000. 



In regard to the toxicity of copper salts, it may be said that it is almost impossible 

 to take a dose large enough to produce death, both from their horrible taste and 

 from the violent vomiting which they produce. In small quantities the taste is not 



1 Des conserves alimentaires reverdis au cui vre. Ann. d'hyg. publ., 1879, [3], 1, 5. 

 'Brouardel, Ann. d'hyg. publ., 1880, [3], 3, 204. 

 3 Loo. tit. 



