The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-01
ADULqERA4I0N OF FOOD
A Report by Senate Committee
Concerning 1t.
Tbr Making of DcIeteriOus Stuns En-
tensiveIy FclIowcd-The Practice
Due TO Competition - CompuIsor,
Marking of Goods for What They
Are Possible Remedy for the Evil


The subcommittee appointed by the
Senate Committee on Manufactures 10 in
yestigste the adulteration of food and drink
products made the full report of its pro-
ceedings 10 the Senate yesterday This sub
committee of which Senator Mason was
Chairman, was authorized TO set during
the recess OF Congress and TO take testi-
mony in various cities. In beginning its
report the subcommittee says it cannot
toe strongly emphasize the importance OF
the investigation and the proposed legi5-
lation
The adnlteration of prepared or manu-
featured foods" the report continues, lis
very extensively practiced and in many
cases to the great discredit Of our manu-
faeturers. 1t is only fair to say. however.
that a large proportion of the American
manufacturers who are engaged in adult
terating food products do so in order 20
meet competition, and 1t is the expression
of those gentlemen 10 say. We would be
glad 10 get out OF this business of adul
teratng. We would like to quit putting
this stuff in coffee, and would be willing to
brand cur syrups for what they are, but
our competitors get trade advantage
which We cannot surrender
1T is the purpose of this committee TO
adopt this uniform rule: To prohibit the
sale of deleterious and unhealthy food
products. and as to those food products
which are simply cheapened by adulterants,
20 compel the marking of those goods for
what they are. An examination of the
resolution shows that these are the two
ha Tn in ar
food products are dangerous TO public
health and second. what products are sold
In fraud to the consumer. The committee
has adopted the rule above stated for the
reason that It feels that deleterious food
products should be prohibited and the rest
thoroughly regulated.
There have been two general ways
suggested as to the matter of regulation.
First. to put the important food products
under the internal revenue law, as We have
in the case of butter. filled cheese. and, at
the last Congress. flour. This committee
recommended to the Congress in its last
session the passage of the Pure Flour bill.
which adopted. 1t was made ostensi-
bly, a revenue bill. which brought it within
the decision of the Supreme Court of the
United States, although as revenue pro-
Queer it will not be regarded as a great
success But il is fact that it has alb
soutely prohibited the sale of adulterated
-four. which was found to be in many
cases dangerous to public health, and a
further important fact that il increased the
sale of American -four probably 25 per
cent in other countries. and for proof of
this we most earnestly beg attention TO
the letters. pages S to II, printed in the
evidence of the first Witness from the
leading cities OF the world. which show the
increased demand for American -four as
soon as Congress compelled that it should
be sold for what il was. So it will be
observed that II the rule established by this
committee can be carried out as to our
food products We will not only protect the
consumer and the honest manufacturer
who is willing to sell his goods for what
they are but We will also establish repu--
tation for our food products which will
assist US to find a ready market for them
In other countries.
1.-THE other plan to regulate the food
products does not put ii at all in the In
ternal Revenue Department but is con-
tanned in Senate bill 2426. which establishes
q department under the Secretary of Agri-
culture. and provides for the establishment
of a board which shall carry out the part
of the rule established by this committee
and fix the standards for foods, drinks, and
for drugs based on the American Pharma-
copeia. The strong argument in favor of
this plan is the fact that ii would be cum
bersome to take all the small articles of
food products that are now adulterated and
allow their sophistication or adulteration
for the purposes of cheapening, and require
= stamp upon each of the small packages
offered for sale"
The subcommittee gives an extensive re-
view of the investigations into the adul-
iteration of various. food and drink pro-
ducts In regard TO condensed milk it was
found that the great manufacturers pro-
duced a pure and wholesome article, but
are obliged to devote much time and money
in competition with INSCRIPTIONS pro-
ducers who put forth adulterated goods
The subcommittee analysed many sam
pies of sugar with the result that the
sugar produced in this country Is remark
ably free from adulterants. Safeguards in
the way of Legislation are. however, rec
commended. Honey and syrups were
found TO be highly adulterated with glu-,
cose in many cases. The use of alum ia
the manufacture of baking powder was
found TO be very prevalent, and radical
legislation is recommended. A good deal
of attention was given TO the examination
of beer, and the conclusion is that the
standard of American manufacturers is
very high
The subcommittee finds that the prod
uct commercially known as oieomargarine
is healthfui and nutritious. and no further
legislation is necessary The use of dele
FERROUS substances in the manufacture OF
candy is deprecated, and the practice
should, the committee believes, be pro-
hibited.
II was found that American wines are
generally of good quality and unadulter-
ated.
Nearly every sample Of cream of tartar
purchased in drug stores was found to
be n fraud the subcommittee asserts
A general statement is made in the re-
port that many articles of food imported
from foreign countries were found TO be
adulterated, and strict inspection is rec
commended.