The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1888-07-12
DANGEROUS FOOD ADULTER-
ATOMS.
Tho Fraudulent use Of Alum and Linn
in Chenp Baking Powders.

Tho fraudulent use Of Alum and Lime
in Cheap Baking Powders.
II consumers prefer to buy an adulterat
ed article OF food because 1t can be had q,
lower price, they undoubtedly have the
right to do so, provided the adulterants
are not Of character injurious TO health.
II such articles are not falsely sold as pure,
and the customer is not deceived as Ia
their real character. the transaction is not
illegitimate.
But the great danger in the traffic in
adulterated food arises from the deception
that is prscticed by manufacturers usually
chasing such goods as pure. This is almost
invariably done when the adulteration i
one that is injurious to health. For in
stance, manufacturers Of alum and lime
baking powders not only fail to inform the
public OF the real character OF the goods.
but carefully conceal the fact that they are
made from these poisonous articles. Most
OF these manufacturers also claim that
their articles are pure and wholesome,
while some go still further and proclaim
boldly that they are cream OF tartar goods,
or even the genuine Royal Baking Powder
itself. No consumer will buy alum baking
powders knowingly, for it is well under
stood that they are detrimental to health.
The sale OF lime aud alum baking powders
as pure and wholesome articles is. there
fore, criminal, and it is satisfactory to no.
tice that several persons engaged In such
sale have already been brought to justice
in the courts
The official sna.ysts have recently been
active in the pursuit OF these dishonest
articles. The baking powders OF several
states have been carefully and critically
examined. The officials are surprised at the
large amount OF lime and alum goods
found. II is suggestive fact that no bak
ing powder except the Royal has been
Iound without either lime or alum. and
many contain both. DIR. Prices baking
powder has been found to contain nearly
u per cent Of lime; Clevelsnd's II per
,ent of impurities; the phosphate powders
over IL per cent Of lime.
The chief service OF lime is to add weight.
I is true that lime, when subjected to
leat, gives of certain amount Of carbonic
cid gass, but quicklime is left-a caus-
ic OF most powerful nature. A small
quantity Of dry lime upon tue tongue, or
U the eye, produces painful effects; how
nuch more serious must these effects be
u the delicate mem brsnes ofthe stomach,
ntestines and kidneys, more particularly
I infants and children, and especially
Then the lime is taken into the system day
iter day, aud With almost every meal.
his is said by physicians to be one Of the
Auses OF indigestion. dyspepsia. and those
ainful diseases Of the kidneys now SO
reyalent.
Adulleration with lime is quite as much
} be dreaded as with alum. which has
received the most emphatic
iron food analysts. physi-
ans and chemists. for the reason that
bile alum may be partially Dissolved by
10 heat OF baking il is impossible 10 de-
oy or change the nature OF the lime SO
lat the entire amount 10 the baking pow.
n passes. With all It's Injurious proper
cs, into the stomach,
The lsfze profits from the msnutsctur
lime aud alum baking powders has
Aced many OF them on the market They
o 10 he found 10 the stock Of almost eve
retail dealer, aud are urged upon ems
mers calling for baking powders upon
occasions. Because Of their well known !
trimen,al character II lie desirable that
omp, meaDs be taken 70 suppress thsir !,
annlsciufe. v
Pure baking powders are one OF the 0
iei aids 10 The cook 10 preparing perfect y
a wholesome food. While those are 10 !
obiaiaed Of we'll established reputation. /,
9 ibe Royal. Of whose parity there has st
yer been question. IL Is proper TO avoid
oilers,