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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1985
RESTAURANT FINED FOR USING BORIC ACID
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A SPOKESMAN FOR THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY WARNED OPERATORS OF FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS NOT TO USE BORIC ACID IN PRESERVING FOOD BECAUSE IT IS A BANNED PRESERVATIVE.
THIS FOLLOWS A RECENT COURT CASE IN WHICH THE LICENSEE OF A RESTAURANT IN ABERDEEN WAS PROSECUTED BY A CAUSEWAY BAY COURT MAGISTRATE FOR SELLING FOOD CONTAINING BORIC ACID. THE OFFENDER WAS CONVICTED AND FINED $3 000 PLUS A PAYMENT OF $227 FOR FOOD ANALYSIS.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE OFFENCE CARRIES A HE MAXIMUM FINE OF $10 000 AND SIX MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT. WARNED THAT BORIC ACID IS NOT A PERMITTED PRESERVATIVE BECAUSE IT IS AN IRRITANT TO THE STOMACH AND OTHER ORGANS.
+THE DEPARTMENT'S HEALTH INSPECTORS ARE REGULARLY TAKING FOOD SAMPLES FROM VARIOUS RESTAURANTS AND WALL STALLS FOR ANALYSIS TO ENSURE THAT BORIC ACID IS NOT CONTAINED IN FOOD FOR PUBLIC CONSUMPTION, HE SAID.
MEANWHILE, THE DEPARTMENT'S HEALTH STAFF ARE ALSO REGULARLY TESTING FOOD SAMPLES FROM RESTAURANTS AND WALL STALLS TO FIND OUT IF THEY USE SALICYLIC ACID IN PREPARING FOOD.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID SOME UNSCRUPULOUS FOOD OPERATORS AND ILLEGAL HAWKERS ADD SALICYLIC ACID TO FISH BALLS AND MEAT BALLS TO MAKE THEM LOOK FRESH.
HE WARNED THAT SALICYLIC ACID IS TOXIC WHEN TAKEN BY MOUTH AND CAN CAUSE DIZZINESS, NAUSEA, VOMITTING, MENTAL CONFUSION AND IRRITATION OF THE GASTRIC MUCOSA WITH EROSION AND ULCERATION.
+ IN SEVERE CASES WHERE LARGE DOSES OF THE CHEMICAL ARE TAKEN, DEATH MAY OCCUR, SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
+ THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR SELLING FOOD WITH SALICYLIC ACID IS ALSO $10 000 FINE AND SIX MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT.+
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