70 



Hygienic Demands of the Manufacturers of 



Milk-foods. 



The German society, " Fuer oeffentliche Gesundheitspflege," 

 has rightfully demanded that each manufacturer of milk-food shall 

 attach to each package of his food an analysis stating the average 

 quantities in which its constituents are present. It would be very 

 desirable if the sanitary authorities of all countries would adopt 

 and carry out such measures for the benefit of the health of infants, 

 who depend upon this food. Why should the manufacturer of 

 milk-food not be held equally responsible as dealers in milk and 

 other food substances ? 



The various milk-foods in the market vary in composition as 

 follows : 



Average. 



"Water 5.0 to 10. per cent. 7.50 



Salts 1.5 to 3. " 2.25 



Fat 4.0 to 7. " 5.50 



Albumen 9.5 to 18. " 13.25 



Sol. carbohydrates.... 35.0 to 55. " 45.00 



Insol. " ... 15.0 to 35. " 25.00 



Cellulose 0.5 to 1. " 0.75 



99.25 

 From this it is evident that the various brands of milk-food 

 vary considerably. The greatest variations among solids exists in 

 the albuminates and insoluble carbohydrates, which differ in the 

 first almost, and in the second over, 100 per cent. This is, no 

 doubt, a considerable diiference, and must greatly influence the 

 prosperity of the infant depending on these foods for nourish- 

 ment, as it should the buyer, who, in most cases, will have to pay 

 the same price, be the food a good or an inferior article. 



This desired interference of the sanita,ry authorities is, however, 

 not meant as consisting in the upholding of ideal desires, which 

 practically cannot be realized. What is wanted is a food which in 

 its composition, *. e., the relations of the constituents, resembles 

 breast milk, and which is distinguished by its stability. 



In considering what has practically been done in this field of 

 manufacture, we can safely say that the possibility of the solution 



