320 MILK AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH ch. xvn 



The circular also deals with cases in which the presence 

 of preservatives is declared with the object of escaping liability 

 under Section 6 of the Act : 



Where preservatives are reported in milk thus sold, the question 

 will arise whether, in view of the nature and quantity of the pre- 

 servatives added, it can be considered that the article has been 

 rendered injurious to health, or that the purchaser has been pre- 

 judiced to an extent which would justify the institution of proceed- 

 ings under Section 3 or Section 6 of Sale of Food and Drugs Act, 

 1875, notwithstanding the declaration made at the time of purchase. 



This question is not without diflfioulty in view of the general 

 objection to the employment of any preservatives in milk. 



As regards formalin and boron preservatives, however, the 

 Board are advised that the presence in milk of formalin to an 

 amount which is ascertained by examination within three days of 

 collecting the sample to exceed 1 part in 40,000 (1 part in 100,000 

 of formic aldehyde) raises a strong presumption that the article has 

 been rendered injurious to health, and that the purchaser has been 

 prejudiced in the above sense ; and also that similar presumption 

 is raised when boron preservatives are present in milk to an amount 

 exceeding 57 parts of boric acid per 100,000, or 40 grains of boric 

 acid per gallon. 



It appears desirable that the addition of preservatives to skim 

 milk, separated milk, and condensed milk, should be watched and 

 controlled on similar lines. 



