The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1898-04-04
FOOD AND DRUGS.

A very important bill passed the
House on Saturday, viz: the act TO
provide against the adulteration of
food and drugs. In a country where
there are more officials to the acre
than is usual elsewhere. it does not
seem necessary to add any more eth
er to their ranks or to swell an ever
increasing pay roll but in this matter
it is a distinct necessity, warranted
by facts known to the promoter and
supporters of the bill. However
much The Star may advocate econo-
my in this it would urge the Legisla-
ture to be liberal
There is no doubt that the sophs-
tication of foods. drinks and drugs is
largely carried on and it is only by
establishing supervision of these ar
ticles by competent man, capable OF
analyzing any samples of food or of
drugs that may be presented for anal
ysis, that will enable the state to
nip the nefarious trade. Without such
an official the market has become the
dumping ground for all kinds of So
phisticated goods. The dealers else
where know there is no inspection
here, and know that inferior com
pounds will pass muster among the
population. But let there be a con
viction or two and there will be ten
dency to be very careful as to sending
adulterated articles.
While the law is strict as to adulter-
alton, in the case of drugs laying dwon
four rules and in the case of food
seven, yet harmless mixtures, propc.-
ly labeled with their contents can be
sold, but they must not be sold Us
anything else but the mixture. Thus
under no circumstances could mao
sell cocoa mixed with brick dust, rs
cocoa, but he might sell mixture Ct
coffee and chicory, not as coffee, but
Tabled coffee and chicory," and if
any one wished to buy it, there would
be no harm in doing so, but the per-
son must buy it with his eyes orcr.
1t is no use passing an act without
prescribing penalty, and a small
penalty is almost as bad as none N
all. The penalty in the case of the
food and drug bill is fine of not less
than twenty-five nor more than one
hundred dollars, or Imprisonment at
hard labor not less than thirty nor
more than one hundred days, or both.
1t may never prove necessary to use
the latter part of the penalty, which
would only be enforced against very
fragrant offenders, but it is well to
have the penalty there in case it is
needed.
The Food Commissioner will be APP
will have to give bonds for the prop
er and unprejudicial performance of
his duties. 1t will be no bed of roses
that the incumbent will occupy, and
he will have to be a man of firm will
and of strict integrity. His powers
are large, but the Board of Health will
act as a check upon him. Section S
gives him power to enter any cream
cry, factory, store, salesroom, storage
room, drug store or laboratory, and
examine articles of food and drink or
drugs, but such power can only be
used by and with the consent of the
Board of Health.
The bill now goes to the Senate and
it is to be hoped that it will meet with
the same favor there that il has met
with in the House, which passed it by
unanimous vote. 1t is necessary
piece of Legislation, and one in line
with the most progressive states, who
have passed laws upon the subject.
Hawaii prides herself upon being very
progressive; she should show she is
in this case.