Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1888-05-10
DANGEROUS ADULTERATION.
The Fraudulent Use OF Alum and Lime
in Cheap Baking Powders.

If consumers prefer to buy an adul-
terated article of food because 1t can be
had at lower price, they undoubtedly
have the right to do so, provided the
adulterants are not of character in
furious to health. If such articles are
not falsely sold as pure, and the Gus
toner is not deceived as to their real
character, the transaction is not illeglt-
innate.
But the great danger in the traffic in
adultCrated food arises from the decep-
ton that is practiccd by manufacturers
usually CHASING such goods as pure.
This is almost Invariably done when the
adulterant is one that is injurious to
health. For instance manufacturers
of alum and lime baking powders not
only fail to inform the public of the
real character of their goods, but care
fully 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 Bak-
ing Powder itself. No consumer will
buy alum baking powders knowingly
for it is well understood that they are
detrimental to health. The sale of lime
and alum baking powders as pure and
wholesome articles is, therefore, Grim.
several persons engaged in such sale
have already been brought to justice in
the courts.
The official analysts have recently
been active in the pursuit of these dis
honest articles. The baking powders OF
| several states have been carefully ant
critically examined. The officials arr
| surprised at the large amount of lint
and alum goods found. 1T Is suggest
i've fact that no baking powder excep
the Royal has been found withou
either lime or alum, and many contain
both. DIR. Prices baking powder ha
been found to contain nearly II pc
cent of lime; Cleveland's II per cent o
impurities; the phosphate powders owe
II per cent of lime.
The chief service of lime is to adj
weight. 1t is true that lime, when sui
jected to heat, gives off certain
amount of carbonic acid gas, but
quick lime is left cauStic of mos
powerful nature. a small quantity O
dry lime upon the tongue, or in the eye
produces painful effects; how muc
more serious must these effects be o
the delicate membranes of the stomach
intestlnes and kidneys, more particr
larry of infants and children, and e'
pccially when the lime is taken into tn
system day after day, and with almOs
every meal. This is said by physician
to b.. oHr of the causes of indigestion
dyspepsia. and those painful disease
of the kidneys now 50 prevalent.
AdulteratiOn with lime is quite /;
much TO be dreaded as with alum, whiC
has heretofore received the most en-
phatic condemnation from food ana
ySts, physicians and CHEMISTS, for Il
reason that while alum may be partial
dissolved by the heat of baking 1t is In
possible to destroy or change the lin
so that the entire amount in the bakin
powder passes, with all its injuriol
properties into the stomach.
! The large profits from the manufa
! ture OF lime and alum baking pU&de
has placed many OF them in the markc
. They are to be found in the stock of a
most every retail dealer, and are urge
upon customers calling for baking poy
drrS upon all occasions. Because I
acter it is desirable that prompt meal
be taken to suppress their manufactur
Pure baking powders are one of Il
chief aids to the cook in preparing pc
f feet and wholesome food. While tho
are 10 be obtained of well cStablishe
reputation, like the Royal, of who
purity there has never been qlCstiO
it is proper to avoid all others.