1906.] Report on the Butter Trade. 



303 



Committee state that they had no evidence before them which 

 would indicate that the existing law, which provides that butter 

 ■containing more than 16 per cent, of moisture shall be presumed, 

 until the contrary is proved, to be adulterated, is insufficient to 

 prevent fraud or negligence with regard to the percentage of 

 moisture in the manufacture by farmers and others of natural 

 .butter. So far as this butter is concerned the Committee see no 

 reason for suggesting any amendment of the existing law as to 

 moisture. 



In this connection frequent reference was made by witnesses 

 to the manufacture of salt firkin butter by Irish farmers in hill- 

 side farms. This butter is a special article made with brine. 

 The object of adding brine is to preserve the butter and to give 

 it a flavour which is appreciated by consumers in certain dis- 

 tricts. Numerous witnesses expressed the opinion that no 

 special exemption as to salt firkin butter manufactured by Irish 

 farmers is desirable, and the Committee concur in this view. 

 They think that the existing law should be sufficient to prevent 

 ±he manufacture by farmers of Ireland of salt firkin butter con- 

 taining an unreasonable or fraudulent amount of moisture, and, 

 so far as this kind of butter is concerned, they do not recom- 

 mend any further legislation. 



Colouring Matter in Butter. — Some objections were made to 

 the use of colouring matter in butter. Some colouring matter 

 is harmful, and the consumer cannot in practice obtain any 

 security that the colouring matter used in any particular butter 

 is innocuous. Other colouring matters, though not harmful, 

 are objectionable in respect of the processes by which they are 

 manufactured. One witness advocated the prohibition of colour- 

 iing matter in butter as a step to the prohibition of colouring 

 matter in margarine, but it was pointed out that a general 

 prohibition of the use of colouring matter would not necessarily 

 enable purchasers to distinguish between margarine and butter. 

 Several witnesses objected to any interference with the present 

 practice, both from the trade point of view and in the interest 

 of the consumer, and the Committee do not think it necessary 

 to make any recommendation on the subject. 



Preservatives in Butter. — Reference was also made to the use 

 of preservatives in butter. It does not appear that the trade in 



