amination, it was found that the cause of the illness could not always properly have been ascribed to the candy, but that it must have been produced by other causes, unless it was consumed in excessive amounts.

ADULTERATED CANDY PROHIBITED.

The examination made of many kinds of confectionery revealed the existence of a state of affairs that warranted scores of prosecutions, because of the indiscriminate use of organic and mineral coloring matter, grease, copper and other adulterants. The goods in a number of instances were misbranded or misrepresented; for example, certain so-called chocolate confections did not contain a particle of chocolate, etc. It was not always a question of price, as misrepresentations were discovered in both the cheap and high grade candies. As some of the chocolate substitutes were pronounced harmful to health, being of a mineral composition, and, consequently, indigestible, the chemists recommended prosecutions. That the movement was popular with, both the courts and public, the newspaper comments and editorials will clearly prove.

The use of colored glucose in supplying the demands of confectioners is assuming very large proportions, despite the fact that at best it can only be regarded as a cheap, but clever impersonator of sugar. It is but proper to add, that the leading trade organizations representing the immense confectionery interests of the United States, as well as prominent manufacturing firms, are in sympathy with the pure food laws, and will not encourage or countenance fraudulent or unfair practices. Physicians and chemists declare that many children are made ill through dosing their stomachs with cheap substitutes and adulterated candy, and that the sale of such goods should be stopped. Sulphur dioxide is also under the ban.

It is probable that the subject will receive merited attention dur ing the coming year. The confectionery business has assumed immense proportions, and if the sale of harmful products were permitted, a serious wrong would be inflicted upon the public, who not only demand pure candy, but are willing to pay proper prices for such.

ADULTERATED JELLIES.

The manufacture of fruit preserves, jams, jellies, etc., appar ently offered a specially inviting field to some unscrupulous persons with the passing away of the olden-time methods of preserving fruits in the home kitchen, and the consequent advance in the standard of living and general conditions. The manufacturer of such goods. soon entered upon a large and profitable trade. Eventually cheapness and inferiority were the sole ambition of some producers, in order that they might not only meet increased competition, but realize a higher percentage of gain. As a result, the consumer must be taught to know that he is likely to be deceived, and that the goods he buys may contain harmful adulterants, besides being a compound article entirely devoid of the fruit after which it was named.

During the year just ended, hundreds of samples of jellies, etc., were analyzed by the chemists of the Dairy and Food Commissioner,

and it is a pleasure to state to the public, that, comparatively speaking, the results attained show a marked change for the better.

The Commissioner was obliged to institute legal proceedings against a number of dealers who sold brands which were not only counterfeit productions, devoid of the fruit after which it was named, but preserved with chemicals and highly colored with coaltar dyes. The story of raspberry and strawberry jams made from apples, glucose, and coal-tar dyes, with timothy seed added to imitate the seed of the true berry, was again exemplified in connection. with the examinations made a year ago, but so far as is known, these brands are no longer to be found in the markets of Pennsylvania. It is also fully understood that the label even if truthful and exact, could not legalize the sale of any goods, when adulterated, spurious, colored and drugged. The plea that the people in moderate circumstances really want goods of the illegal character and bad quality described, is not sustained by actual facts.

COMPOUND LARD MUST BE LABELLED.

One of the peculiarities of the year's results was a revelation of the fact that compound lard was no longer freely imposed upon the public as the pure fat of swine, and that consumers were usually informed as to the nature of their purchases by the labelling of the package with the words "Compound Lard" as required by law.

Lard containing beef fats or stearine and cotton seed oil can be sold under the provisions of the act regulating the manufacture and sale of "Compound Lard," approved June 18, 1901, but if offered for sale or sold as genuine, pure lard, the seller is subject to a fine not exceeding fifty dollars for the first or one hundred dollars for any subsequent offense. The law requiring the labelling of compound lard will be rigidly enforced, and grocers, generally, will do well to duly observe all of the provisions of the above cited act. The special agents have been instructed to watch such sales closely.

FRAUDULENT TRANSACTIONS IN COFFEE.

A peculiarity of the immense coffee trade has been brought to the attention of the Commissioner by correspondents who complained of the extreme variations in quality, strength and value of the so-called "Java and Mocha" blends of coffee, which are being sold so freely. While the signs seen in some stores offering "Genuine Java and Mocha" coffee at prices ranging from 12 to 20 cents per pound, may be positively misleading, the unscrupulous dealer in the high grade coffees has the greatest opportunity for gain, and there is no doubt, whatever, as to the truth of the declaration that the coffees of Arabia and Dutch Java Islands are called upon to bear many burdens of misrepresentation and misinterpretation as to quantity and quality of production. With the vast possibilities for coining money in the manner indicated, it is also pleasing to add, that there are many first class firms and dealers who decry such practices, and cater to trade with every honorable ambition to win and retain trade by a strictly legitimate business.

SALE OF DISEASED MEAT.

The sale of alleged diseased meat has been brought to the atten tion of the Dairy and Food officials upon at least several occasions.

These complaints averred that such sales were made knowingly and wilfully by butchers and others who were unwilling to bear a financial loss because of the discovery after the animals were killed, that they were tuberculous. In the aforesaid cases, unfortunately, the complaints were ineffectual because all of the meat had already been disposed of, and it was no longer possible to secure proper legal evidence to secure a conviction in a jury trial. The subject is one that strictly and properly comes under the jurisdiction of the State Live Stock Sanitary Board, but the Dairy and Food officials. are always willing to co-operate whenever the interests of the public can be best conserved.

A published statement refers to the fact that in Europe, one-third of the animals killed for human food suffer from tuberculosis, which is communicable to man, and the fact that there are 37 per cent. less deaths from consumption among Jews than Christians is presumed to be entirely due to the precautions taken by Jews in their more rigid and thorough system of meat inspection.

If this repulsive tuberculous meat is injurious to health, it should not be sold for human use at any time or under any circumstances. It is not necessary to prove that actual injury to health has already been done, but it is sufficient to know that it is capable or likely to cause such injury to the unsuspecting consumer.

It is worthy of special note that the percentage of diseased cattle and swine in the United States is far less than that of Europe, and that the general conditions are regarded as vastly better.

CEREAL BREAKFAST FOODS.

The remarkable increase in the sale of the numerous brands of so-called cereal breakfast foods, has caused many inquiries from correspondents as to their actual value as a food, digestive qualities, etc. These almost numberless varieties of food are sold at greatly varying prices, and when the fortunes that are expended in advertising such products are taken into consideration, it is plain that the consumer is paying a proportionately high rate for the food value which he receives in return for his money.

These cereal foods are said to be easily divided into three distinct kinds, to wit: First. Those which are usually prepared by simply grinding or crushing the decorticated grain. Second. Those which include the products of grains which have been steamed, partially cooked, etc., and then ground or rolled. Third. Those brands from which a considerable part of the starch has been removed, or undergone a chemical change by the action of barley malt. These malted preparations are especially popular, because of the fact that a portion of the starch has been converted into a more soluble form.

The observations made indicate that labels are not always en tirely truthful; that some manufacturers make extravagant claims as to nutritive forces and digestibility, and that the cost in some instances is rather excessive. All of these several questions must be answered in the same general way; individual peculiarities will prevail, and after satisfying the sense of taste, you will readily select the food that for a given sum will supply the largest amount of digestible nutrients in a palatable form.

6-6-1905

As no deleterious adulterations were discovered by chemical examinations, and the housewife still approves of their use, the Dairy and Food Commissioner has no further comments to make. The industry has assumed gigantic proportions, and the public demand is constantly increasing as the number and variety of new brands amply proves.

LABELLING ADULTERATED FOOD PRODUCTS.

Apropos to the interesting subject of the labelling of adulterated, imitation and colored and chemically preserved foods, it is right and proper to explain that no label, no matter how complete in its details, would exonerate the manufacturer or seller from legal responsibility, should an article upon analysis be found illegal. Scores of correspondents have taken the position that if a label on a package told the truth, there could not be any valid foundation for a suit. In numerous cases, the labelling on packages read as follows: "Artificial coloring and antiseptic used." As the published reports of terminated suits will show, the courts invariably imposed the usual fine and costs. The labelling of imitation jellies and jams also reveals the ingenuity of a certain class of manufacturers who cater to the cheapest trade. So-called plum, strawberry, grape and other fruit jellies very often do not contain a particle of fruit excepting apple juice which forms the base of the compound. This is flavored with some synthetical compound and preserved with as much as 60 per cent. corn syrup. Very often a small, obscure label will read: "Colored; preserved with benzoic acid," or "Antisep tic is used, also small amount of coloring." By a queer method of deduction, the same illegal goods may occasionally be found to bear the additional assurance, "We guarantee the purity of the contents of this package." The fact that the label may even go as far as to state that "these goods were made and branded to conform to the Pure Food Laws of Pennsylvania," does not exonerate the seller from responsibility. Goods bearing compound labels should be carefully scrutinized by dealers, and if in doubt, only bought and sold under a proper guarantee from the manufacturer or jobber. The Pennsylvania laws do not approve of fraud or imposition under any conditions.

USE OF FICTITIOUS FIRM NAMES.

One of the developments incident to enforcing the pure food laws, is the revelation of the fact that a law should be enacted which would make it prohibitory to sell any food product which does not bear the correct name and address of the manufacturer, or which is sold under a fictitious name and address. In a few instances such mislabeled goods came to the attention of the officials of Pennsylvania, while it is said that in other states where the laws are less rigidly enforced, the practice is a more common and growing It is needless to add that such brands are almost invariably found to be adulterated or illegal, and if the local merchant is fined for their sale, he usually experiences considerable trouble before he can recover the fines, unless the goods were purchased direct from the home jobber or wholesaler under a guarantee. Reliable firms and the packers of pure goods are never ashamed to have their name and address appear upon the goods sold by them.

one.

NEED FOR PRACTICAL FOOD EXHIBITS.

Because of the increased and pronounced public interest in pure food supplies and the food shows which are being held in the large cities by various organizations, the Dairy and Food officials of Pennsylvania have been requested to prepare for display at such shows, an exhibit or collection of exhibits showing the form and manner of food adulterations and fraudulent or counterfeit productions, together with full particulars. The display, if arranged, might go even further, and show as far as practicable, the nutritive values of food. Adulterated dairy and food products, if properly classified, together with an exhibit of pure goods, could be so displayed as to prove an almost invaluable source of information and education.

While labor and expense would be necessary, it is certain that the time and money would be well spent, if such a display were assembled in the offices of the Commissioner, and also for use at pure food shows. A representative of the Commissioner could at a trifling cost, if deemed necessary, attend such shows and explain the exhibits to the public. There is ample excellent material for a display available.

SALE OF IMMATURE OR "BOB-VEAL."

Because of questionable or doubtful phraseology in formulating an act to prevent the killing for food purposes of calves under four weeks old, His Excellency, Governor Pennypacker, vetoed an act relating to this important subject which was passed by the Legislature of 1905. This necessity for Executive interference with the proposed act is sincerely regretted as the trade in "bob-veal" or "monkey-veal" in Pennsylvania has assumed very large proportions. There is but a single compensating feature manifest, which is in the fact that but very little of the immature veal is sold to the consumers of Pennsylvania, directly, but is shipped to the larger cities outside of the Commonwealth.

It is unfortunately true, however, that some of the deleterious meats are canned and reshipped into the State in the guise of various high-sounding names entirely foreign to "monkey-veal" and at correspondingly high prices. The epicurean is, therefore, as in past years, not always positive or certain as to the origin or ancestry of the potted canvas-back duck, turkey and chicken which may be displayed before him in the most tempting manner. The Commissioner has co-operated with the health authorities of several adjoining states in his endeavor to suppress the nefarious traffic, but, as shipments are usually made in bales and boxes, or clandestinely, if possible, the results desired are difficult to reach. The subject will no doubt receive further legislative consideration at the next session.

ADVOCATING NEW LIQUOR LEGISLATION.

As the adverse decision of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, to which reference is made on another page of this report, practically ended the prosecution of dealers who sold spurious, harmful and deleterious liquor, it is reasonably fair to assume that the betterment of conditions which was produced by the hundreds of prosecutions, has been nullified either wholly or in part. This is the concensus of opinion as expressed by the reputable members of the trade. They refer even more markedly to the immense ad