Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-09-13
IMPURE FOOD.
The Question OF Adulteration Discussed In
Government Report.

The Question OF AduIteration Discussed In
Government Report
| WASHINGTON, Sept. 1.-THE question
of adulteration of food and drugs in
this country Is discussed in detail in
the report of Special Agent Alexander
j. Wedderburn of the agriculture de-
partment After referring to the fact
that many stories of adulteration are
grossly exaggerated, the report says:
| The attention OF foreigners has been drawn
to the fact that greater or less adulteration
exists among us. As a result foreign compet-
| itors OF our manufacturers OF food products
have used the fact to their own advantage.
America to-day occupies the unenviable posi-
tion OF being one OF the very few countries that
fail 70 require by law the proper branding Of
their manufactured food and drugs. Whether
, such requirements would accomplish the
desired result is unknown, but the
evil would be mitigated by wholesome
legislation. 1nis belief is sustained
by the results Of the food laws OF England and
other foreign couGtries as well as Of the various
states. The concurrent testimony Of the state
oficials charged with the enforcement OF state
and local laws Is that national effort Is neces-
sary 70 secure enforcement OF state laws. Ifit
be true that IL Is impossible for any state 10
fully execute its laws no matter how stringent
so long as the original package decision stands
as law, then the need Of a federal law is i'm
perative.
The effort to purge the country OF this crime
Is doing good and aids In keeping down the
adulteration OF the products we consume, but
each year brings 10 light new articles in which
method TO improve the profit II not their quail
ity has been found. That almost every article
OF food and drug used In our country Is adulter-
ated Is proved most concluslvely by vast
amount OF information gathered by the depart
ment The extent OF the practice Is as broad
q 10 huf ffa Fha Initt fha
pocket rather than the health
The general character OF food adulterations
Is principally commercial fraud, and the ex-
tent OF criminal or poisonous adulteration In
food IS so limited as to amount to but baga-
telle In the immense sum OF products con-
sumed. large proportion OF poisonous adul-
terations arises from carelessness and ignor-
anoe. But ignorance is no excuse for
the wholesale destruction OF life by the
addition Of poisonous pigments TO many
articles OF food. and especially confeotion-
cry, cream and like articles. IL
has been proved that adulteration is general
and Increasing, and that no kind OF food in
solids or liquids, Is free from the finishing
touches OF the manpulators. Whether the in
tent be criminal and vicious or simplK fraudu-
lent the result Is the same, and the people will
continue TO suffer until the strong hand Of the
federal lawsteps in 10 supplement and support
the action OF the states
The extent OF adulteration Is fully is per
cent, OF which per cent Is OF a character In
furious 10 health But to furnish 6S, ,0O0O 900 peo-
pie with food, drink and drugs cost not less than
S6zO,0OOO00, and II Is found that the amount
Of adulteration reaches the immense sum OF
n,iO4.mOOOO annually. Atleast2 per cent. OF the
whole Is deleterious 70 health and &i35. 900 900
constitutes the annual amount paid by Amer
lean people for sacrifice Of their lives or injury
Of their health.
AS tAsSe, eEists no Inore serious or exhaustive
A.