Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1882-03-02
WELL FOUNDED ALARM.
Pertinent Words from the Press and
Scientists ON the Timely Question of Food
AdulteratiOn.

Adulteration.
The frightful and dangerous adulterations
practised by baking powder manufacturers
is exciting an increased and wide spread
alarm among consumers. The evil has at
tanned greater dimensions than the most
extreme alarmist could have imagined.
The San Francisco Daily Nulleti9e, COM
mented on this subject gives this following:
'Tu city like New York, Government
Chemist makes an analytical examination, and
discioses the fact that the very large proper
ton of powders sold there are made Of alum.
The action of alum on the human stomach is
precisely the same as on the mouth; it draws
and Fuckers it all up, producing all scrts Of un-
pleasant and dangerous disorders. In Ger
many, England, and France, any one found
manufacturing or selling alum powders is sub
ject to 3 heavy fine and imprisonment, but in
this state Of California may be found hundreds
of brands made Of this poisonous chemical.
Pure baking powders should be made of grape
cream tartar, which costs at wholesale from
thirty to forty-tive cents per pound Many ir-
responsible and reckless manufacturers make
this important domestic article from alum,
which costs but three cents per pound.
The Royal Baking Powder Company Of New
York, a wealthy and honorable corporation, the
largest consumers of grape cream tartar in the
world, in their efforts to introduce their goods
on this market were confronted by an army of
alumni powders, which were sapping and un-
dermii n the health of this community. If
the average citizens were told that his oft re-
peated attack Of dyspel sa, constipation, heart
burn, etc., arose from using an impure and
poisonous baking powder, he would probably
pass it by as an idle, sensational assertion; yet
such is the fact
Did any one Of our lady readers, in her
purchases Of domestic supplies, ever notice that
her grocer had nearly always brand Of pow
ders put up under his own name?
IF she had an analysis from q competent
chemist it would tell her that in nearly every
case SHE WAS BEING OFFERED POISON in its most
dangerous and subtle form; not poison that
quickly kiils-for the dose is not large enough
but poison that slowly and surely undermine
the health Of her little ones. The question
arises, why do grocers have their powders put
up under their own name, instead Of having
some well known, pure and reliable brand Of
larger this way. Their powder is made Of
alum, at eighth the cost of cream tartar
powder, and they are enabled to sell it in COM
petition with an honest article like the Royal
Baking Powder, and make an enormous profit
Nearly all the powders sold by the
srocerymen OF this city, under their own
name, are made by prominent manufacturers
safeguard housewife has is to buy an honest
cream tartar powder, made by some responsible
manufacturer.
''A series of researches in San Francisco, on
the part of Professor Hanks, the State Chemist,
shows that out of ten different private corner
grocery brands, selected at random, every one
contained alum or other impurities, and eight
were short weight, some Of them thirty-ive
per cent. The names Of these powders are not
here given; for it is scarcely believed that the
grocers were aware of what they were buying
and having put up under their
own names, but the samples
and reports are in the possession of Mr..
Hanks
''We make the suggestion to every reader to
consider whether the pitiful saving arising from
the purchase OF cheap baking powder COM
pensates for the loss of health incurred. After
the repeated warnings Of science, any mother
who continues the use Of these poisonous COM
pounds does so with fearful penalty hanging
over her head. Go ask your family doctor If
alum 6aklng powders are dangerous, and be
guided by his advice"
In the East where this subject is exciting
greatinterest, DR.. Halls Journal of Health says,
in recent issue:
Before committing ourselves, however, we
made tests of q sufficient number of baking
powders to satisfy ourselves that the substitu-
ton OF alum for cream of tarter in their COM
position has not been over estimated, while
careful examination of the Royal Baking Pow
der confirms our belief that DR.. Mott, the form
er Government Chemist, when he singled out
and commended this powder for its wholesome
ness, did it wholly in the interest of the public
Wed do not hesitate to say that the Royal Baking
Powder people deserve the gratitude of the
community whom they are endeavor ing to
protect"
DR.. Edward G. Love, the present Analytical
Chemist for the government, says the New
York Tribune, December II, 1880, has re-
Gently made some interesting experiments as to
the comparative value of baking powders DR..
Loves tests were made to determine what
brands were the most economical to use. And
as their capacity lies in their leavening power,
tests were directed solely to ascertain the
avilable gas of each powder.
tits proper to state that all the powders ex-
amined were from the open market, and that the
original labels were in every case broken by
Dr. Love himself