Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1891-10-30
is 1T ON THE LlST3
Ammonia and Alum Baking Powders.
How to Detect Them.

Ammonia and Alum Baking Powders.
How to Detect Them.
In view OF what the Minnesota Sem
ate has done, it is hoped that legislative
bodies in other states will soon take up
the subject of food adulteratiou. The
subioined list of baking powders con-
tanning ammonia and alum, compiled
from official reports and published in a
recent number of the Scientific AmeIcdn,
is given below. at deals in direct
manner with an evil which must be cut
down" said the Chicago Tribune in COM
mentipg on the Scientific american re-.
port. Following is the list of
AMMONIA AND ALUM BAKING POWDERS.
Compiled from O6icidl. Reports.
Powders marked with star seem to
have general sale, as they are men,
toned in at least two Of the reports.
*ATLANTIc PACIFIC. *RoYAL.
COOKS FAvoRITE. sCIoTA.
CROWN. SILVER SPOON.
CRYSTAL. SILVER STAR.
DAISY. *sNowpRIFr
DAVIS o. X. SOVEREIGN.
DRY YEAST. STAR.
GEM. STATE.
GLOBE. STANDARD.
*KBNToN. suNFLowER.
PkARsoNs. WASHINGTON.
PERFECTION. WINDSOR.
PEERLESS. ziPP's GRAPE.
PURITY. CRYSTAL.
There are, in addition to the forego-
ing list from the Scientific american, a
number of such powders sold in the
western that were not found in the east
ern stores.
Following is the list to date +:
~ lGaiamet Baking Powder Co.. ciaS cSicasoJ Gum
tVouwie Bros, Cleveland)
CHICAGO YEAST. Contains Ammonia Alum.
nom NJ Chapman & Smith Co., Chicago)
hoIEL, Contains Ammonia Alum.
rSR3v & e Grant rant Baking Powder Co, chIcago)
lspragues, Warner & Grlswold, Chicagol
ONE SPOON, TAYLOR'S, Ammonia Alum.
v,pN,, {Tsyior Mfg Co, St. LOUISE
,r,' lYarnalls Mfg Co., St. Lou Eouis5 ..j'' A'um
Ms,sha4fs Mig Association, st. IOsis5 sum
(Dodson & Hills. St. Louis.J "s '''''''
shEfAhpS, Contains Ammonia Alum.
p,,N., (Wm' Ii. shepard, st. LOUISE
.,, Meyer Balm Mfg. Co, St. Louis'j N'''''
SNOW SgRfld, { Murdoch Co. 6hicaso1 A,'A'
SNOW BALL, Contains Alum.
Ibengal Cohee Spice Mills, Chicago)
GiANI, Contains Alum.
MlLh, Contains Alum
, wv. +. Mclaughlin Co., Chicagoy
Spencer Bluing Paddle Co., Sa'%ns Ghicaso1 Alum
hALbfELL PuklIf, Contains Alum.
RISING s{lN {Kalbfell Mig Co, tohi.cagoj
wu,{F SFhosHiS .Ssk Chemical Works chicago l0H'"'
u0aS {Glo6e Coffee Spice Mills, Minneapoiisj
"ooD . ACME, Contains Ammonia.
SG +. Andrews Co, MilwaukeeJ
HAhklES FAV0klTE. Contains Alum.
III. II. Harries. Minneapolis.)
FdpELiIf' Contains Alum.
SOLAR, Contains Alum
p,,ry IsheS%an Bros. chieagoJ
a, wells Putnam & Co, chicaso'5 JS Aium'
TWIN 9iSs GNosh Mcdowell, St. Paul, Mimi '
q; K. Ferguson, Minneapolis, G"iS'ls MIMI 1'u'n'
G|He,eulss & Baking Powdero Co.. San Franciscoj a
tclimax Baking Powder Co., IndianapoiisJ
Ammonia and alum are the most
common adulterants used in the manu.
facture of baking powders. The Gov
ernment report shows that a large per-
centage OF the baking powders on the
market contain either one or the other.
or both these pernicious drugs.
What woman would use an ammonia
or alum baking powder if she knew it 4?
Such powders not only undermine the
health, but ammonia gives to the COM
plexion sallow or blotched appear
ance. The presence of ammonia or
alum in baking powder, however,
can easily be detected.
To Detect ammonia one heap
ing teaspoonful of baking powder with
one teaspoonful of water in a tin Gun:
boil thoroughly for few moments
stir to prevent burning, and if ammonia
is present you can smell 1t in the rising
steam. Or place a can of the suspected
powder top down on hot stove for a
minute or two, then take Off the cover
and smell.
To Detect Alum.-Alum powder can
be tested by putting a couple of tea
spoonfnls of the powder in glass of
cold water. If no effervesence, that is,
bubbling or simmering, takes place,
condemn the powder and return it at
once.
Some alum powders, however, like
sno Caiune.' Don bon, chicago
Yeast" etc., contain phosphates in
combination with alum, and with these
brands the following test is simple and
sure:
Take one half teaspoonful of baking
powder in lid of say half pound can;
char thoroughly over strong alcohol
flame, good gas jet; or red hot Goals.
After charring (that is, burning until
the whole mass is black add teaspoon
iui OF water and place bright piece of
silver coin in the solution. Stir for one
minute, then take out the silver. 1.-THE
powder prove cream of tartar powder
the coin will be bright; if an alum pow
der ii will have sulphur stains.
Now pour little vinegar into the lid
and smell the fumes. Alum powders
give off sulphuretted hydrogen, which
may be detected by its foul odor.
HAbOyc the Claude