On This Day, 8 February 1917

Birmingham Mail

Thursday 8 February 1917

ARSENIC IN BAKING POWDER

REPORT OF A BIRMINGHAM ANALYST

In his annual report Mr. J. F. Liverseege, the City Analyst, states, with regard to baking powder and egg powder, that samples were taken because of information sent by the Local Government Board that baking powder containing a notable amount of arsenic was being sold in the country. One sample each of baking powder and egg powder from the same vendor contained twenty-five parts of arsenic per million; subsequent formal samples contained ten parts. The vendor was cautioned and the articles removed from sale.

Much of the milk sold in Birmingham, adds Mr. Liverseege, is of excellent quality. With regard to butter, last year 855 samples were analysed. None of them contained boric acid in excess of 0.5 per cent., but thirteen samples contained fat foreign to butter. Of the eighteen samples of bread and butter taken five consisted of bread spread with margarine instead of butter.