The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1888-05-10
DANGDROLW rood ADJLTERA 7ION
TIE FRAUDULENT USE OF ALUM
AND LINE IN CHEAP BAKING
POWDERS

DANGEROUS rood ADyLTEEAT TION
TIE FRAUDULENT USE OF ALUM
AND LINE IN CHEAP BAKING
POWDERS.
If consumers prefer to buy an adult
Grated article of food because it can be
had ut Il lower price, they undoubtedly
have the right 10 do 80, provided the
adulteraDts are not Of 4 character III :
furious to health. If such articles are
not falsely sold as pure, and the custo
mer is not deceived as to their real
character, the transaction is not illegi-
innate.
But the great danger in traffic in ad J.,
liberated food arises from the ,,-ceu
tion that is practiced by manufacturers
usually CHASING such goods rs pure.
This is almrst invariably done when
the adultcrant is one thai is injurious to
health. For instance. manufacturers
Of alum aud lime baking powders not
only fail to inform the people of the
real character of the their goods, but
carefully conceal the fact that they are
made from these poisonous articles.
Most of these manufacturers also
claim that :htir articles are pure and
wholesome. while some go still furt her
p''CHN"I OtIN'y lut'y axe
| e, cam Of tartar goods. or even the gan-
nine Royal Baking Powder itself. No
consumer will buy alum baking p0wd
~ knowingly, for it is we'll ,,nderst oo,i
that they are detrimental to health.
The Sale Of lime aud alum baking
powders as pure and wholesome art
icles is. therefore. criminal. and it is
satisfactory tn notice that several per
sons engaged in such sale have al
ready been brought to justice in the
courts.
The official analysts have recently
been active in the pursuit 1T these dis.
honest articles. The baking powder
of several States have been carefully
and critically examined. The officials
are surprised 1T the large amount Of
lime and alum goods found. It is y
suggestive fact that no baking powder
except the Royal has been fonnd with
tain both. Dr. Prices baking powder
has been found to contain IL per cent
of lime; Cleveland's II per cent. Of i'm.
nurities; the phosphate powders over
II per cent. Of lime.
The chief service of lime is to add
weight. 1t is true that lime, when
subject to heat. gives off certain
amount Of carbonic acid GAS, but Il
quick lime is left-a caustic of power.
full nature, "A small quantity Of dry
lime upon the tongue. or in the eve.
produces painful; effects: how much
more serious must these effects be on
the delicate membranes of the stomach.
intestines and kidneys, more particu
larly Of infants and children, and es-
Il11 IN 30 <,,lx ;.><.
the system day after day, and with
physicians to be one of the causes of
Indigestion, dyspepsia. and those pain
ful diseases of the kidneys now so pre-
valent.
Adulteration with lime is qnite as
much to be dreaded as with alum.
which has heretofore received a most
emphatic condemnation from food
anylasts, physicians and chemists, for
the reason that while alum NAV be
partially dissolved by tho heat of bak-
ing it is impossible to destroy or
change the nature of the lime so that
the entire amount in the baking powd-
er passes. with all it's injurious proper
ties. into the stomach.
The large profits from the manufact-
ure Of lime and alum baking powders
has placed many of them in the mark
ct. They are to he found in the stock
of almost every retail dealer, and are
urged upon customers calling for bak-.
ing powders upon all occasions. Be-
cause of their well.known detrimental
character it is desirable that prompt
means he taken to suppress their man.
ufacture.
Pure baking powder is one of the
chief aids to the cook in preparing
perfect and wholesome food While
those are to be obtained Of well.estab.
lished reputation, like the Royal, of
whose pnrity there has never been
question, it is proper to avoid all 9TH
ers.