New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-21
FOOD ADULTER4TION.

In q talk before the New-YoTk Academy or
Medicine on Thursday evening Or. H. w whey
outlined the programme which the department
of Agriculture will pursue il its crusade against
authorizations in imported food. The power 70
act was conferred by Congress year or TWO
ago but the particular method OF procedure
was left 10 the discretion OF that branch Of the
government whose duty it is 10 enforce the law.
Secretary Wilson has asked the chief chemist
Of his department Dr. Wiley. to frame suit
able order and one has been issued providing
that after the opening Of the new year all i'm
ported packages shall be so labelled as 10 adj
vertise the kind and quantity OF the preserVa-
fIves that may have been used and the sub
stances employed for coloring the contents arti-
fcially and 10 indicate any substitution that
may have been made. such as the introduction
OF cottonseed oil into boxes Of sardines which
are presumably packed in olive oil. 1t is pro-
posed thus 10 compel either the producer or the
importer 10 supply TO the retail purchaser def
mite information TO the purity of every article
sold.
The main object which the order aims 10 Sc
cure is 10 be approved heartily. There may be
come question on the score of precipitation.
Whether or not there is ample time TO obtain
the necessary labels and have them affixed be-
fore January ! is doubtful perhaps, although
she importers have long been aware OF the
general tenor OF the law. Ine essential Feat
ure Of the new requirement, however, appears
10 be free from any valid objection and seems
90 afford the best practical means for suppress
ing the evils against which the law is directed.
The importers themselves can hardly be ex-
Epected 10 sympathZe fully with the measure
sHnd their criticisms should be discounted liber-
Hlly. They are not diSinterested parties
How far the consumer will be influenced in
purchasing foreign meats, vegetables. dairy
Products and beverages by the inscriptions that
twill soon be required cannot easily be fOreseen.
FAany persons are too ignorant TO Judge accu-
tsately the peril TO which they subjected by
seating fruits preserved with borax or peas
stained with copper. Indeed, even experts are
Eslot altogether agreed these and kindred
sspoints. Still, something will be gained in popu-
9ar education b. the initiation Of the new prac-
fice, and retail buyers will in time become more
discriminating than they are now, not merely
IN regard 10 imported products but also as 10
domestic articles. The law does not vet touch
the latter. but enlightenment Is quite as desir.
able relative TO adnlteration at home as abroad
After all, the chief merit Of the plan is that i;
smplifes the work OF the officials whose dutv
il is TO confscate merchandise sold Illegally
No doubt there viii be attempts to eyade the
law by using inaccurate labels. Ii will be ueces
sary at times 10 make chemical examinations II
determine whether not the contents Of 2
package are correctly described Still # may
he assumed that ordinarily the packers and i'm
porters will act in good faith. Merely a glance
az the inscription will ordinarily suffice IN tal
an inspector whether a lot of goods conform.
10 the standards OF purity established by IL
\ head chemist of the Department Of Agriculture