The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1881-10-22
ADULTERATION OF FOODS
AND DRINKS. s.

The adulteration question is now
fairly before the public mind. Some
two years since Mr.. Angel, of Bos-
ton, made some very grave asser-
lions before the Social Science AS
sociatisn as to the extent of these
authorizations. His method was
somewhat inexact and his manner
that of a bold enthusiast. Neverthe
less, he succeeded in doing that
which is the beginning Of most in
vestigation and reform. He ex-
cited controversy. Eminent chem
lists, as Morton and Nichols and
Chandler, controverted his state
ments or doubted their accuracy;
but boards of trade were melted to
action in the line Of honest inquiry.
Strong attempt was made to secure
| active governmental movement. DIR.
Angel appeared before the congress
sienal committee, and made very
positive statements, which have
been spread broadcast over the coun-
try. The National Board has made
somewhat superficial examination,
and gives the opinion that, while
drugs are largely adulterated, our
common foods are not; that many
of the adulterants are harmless to
health, although frauds financially.
Some of the states, like New Jersey,
have passed laws as to adulteration.
The New York legislature has Efay-
erably reported a bill of a similar
kind; bat it has been chiefly exer-
cised over glucose and oleomargar-
inc. Glucose, although not harmful,
is great fraud when compared with
cane sugar in nutritive value. Many
of our syrups and some of our
sugars are largely glucose. Gleat
quantities Of honey are upon the
market over which the busy little
bee never improved shining hour.
AS to oleomargar1ne, its manufac-
ture has become great industry.
No doubt it can be prepared to serve
as substitute for butter, both in
cookery and in table use. If used
for the latter purpose, as very high
temperature is not used in its manu-
facture, there is some danger from
the entoZoa,som Of which are found
in fats and are transmissable to man.
There is some reason why the fats
should not be subjected to high tenn
peratures. It seems quite necessary
that some system of inspectorship
should be adopted which will insure
right methods of manufacture and
the marking Of packages so as to
distinguish from pure butter. In a
late English trial the defendant |
nj "a f11h
"Bosh Butter" on one side. The |
judge decided that "Bosh" is an
AmerlcaniSm, not understood by
and, therefore, did not |
sufficiently define the OleomargeriRe.
We hope there will be some wise
legislation as to the two articles
before the trade becomes so enor-
nous as to monopolize legislative
influence. AS to less notorious
it is to be remembered
that it is an inviting field for the
of men; that the world is
growing more artistic and being
furnished with more skillful
methods Of combination; and that
we are not TO expect radiance from
such evils except through rigid law
and authorized Watchfulness.
While harmless ingredients are
more naturally sought, yet, as in
the ease of alum in bread, or
acids in baking powders, or colors
for effect, the mixer easily con-
vinces himself that small guam
titles will do no harm. The
national board Of health recently
;o-eperate1 with the New York
BOARD of trade and with the premium
)ffer of the sanitary engineer in for
a form of law which was
leemed expedient, as not being over
strict or stringent, on the one hand.
)r too lax, on the other. No one can
lote the marked decrease of adulte-
alton which has taken place in
England, under a system of public
without feeling that much
he same course is desirable here.
fhe adulterants used and the ar
icles adulterated viii from time TO
line change; but the practice will
continue, unless thus guarded. Most
Il our cities are so satisfied of the
leeI as to milk that special inspec- ,
ors are appointed. Their experience r
hows that the reality of the evil is 2
lot overstated. y report made last !
ear by the New York inspector o
nd this year by the New JERSEY a
Inspector, presents many facts Of :
Cider vinegar is now entirely too
carce an article. and doubtful acids
ff1lct the stomach. There are still
ther directions. newer than these.
1 which the attention of ANALYSTS
now being directed.
The authorizations which occur to =
rugs are admitted by all to be of a
9rIouS character. If recovery from .
cknesS at all depends upon the
Sc OF proper medicines, it is EASY
see that a fraud here NAV be
tended with the most serious CON
'quences. We have ourselves -
noWn two or three instances in !
hich life has been jeopardized or
st because of the inertness of a
reparatIon, and one of where con-
ulslonS We're caused. The United n,
5ates inspection of drugs is of some
'rYlce, but not alone sufficient.