The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-04-17
The HIGHLY
C0L0RED
CANDIES

To a person coming into Providence and
walking through the business section one
thing Is impressed upon them, that ProVi-
dencs peo pie have we'll developed sweet
tooth; the candy Kitchens and other con-
fectionery establishments giving ample
testimony to that effect.
Saws the state board of health bulletin
issued this month:
when one gazes at the gorgeous SYM
phony OF coiorngs In the candy store
windows at the present time. one wonders
IL they really can be safe. and we renect
that we have not heard OF so many cases
OF poisoning as the result OF eating
candy: and from the multiplicity OF the
vendors OF sweets there must be vast
amount OF candy consumed.
we have been taught I'm childhood that
all highly colored candles were to he
avoided, from fear OF the possibility Of
there being poisonous materials used In
dyeing the candy. The green kind was
presumed to be especially vicious. owing
probably 10 the fact that copper turns
green upon corrosion.
with the advent OF analine colorings,
certain OF the colors were not found 20
be attainabie in manufacture without the
use OF arsenic: but the continued chem
ical manipuations OF the workers OF coal
tar products soon discovered that any and
all shades of colors could be made staple
without the use OF any poisonous com
binations.
LAS 10 the poisonous properties Of the
coors as made, when he reflect that the
thousandth part OF drop OF color will
stain yards OF cotton cloth and pounds
OF candy. our fear In set at rest.
That there may be no mistakes nor
possibility OF danger from carelessness or
the use OF any Injurious ingredients for
tho purpose OF economy In presenting
these toothsome candles TO the public.
the leading ana largest producers Of con
fectionery have formed the National
Confectioners association of the United
States.
THE USE OF PARAFr1NE.
The association further offers re-
ward OF 800 TO anyone who will furnish
such legal PROOF of the harmful sdulters-
tion OF candy as will enable the associa-
tion 10 maintain an action AT law against
the offender
This reNari is offered IN every case
where a report OF sickness or death is
associated with candy. During the past
20 years they have not been able In q
single instance 70 discover q case in
which death or even sickness could be
shown to he due 20 any ingredients con-
tanned I'm candy
AT its 2ist annual convention. held In
July last, that were reported eight cases
in which the daily papers boldly asserted
that children had been made severely stick
or had died from eating poisonous candy
Not one or them, withstood the proof
upon investigation. physicians. parents.
coroners and chemists being the Judges
The only rock upon which the associa-
ton seems to strand Is the use ~
psrsffine ia certain kinds OF confec-
tionery. especially i'm the cheaper grades
of caramek, taffy and cake icings. II
gives the mixture toushness and sta >
bility in warm weather. II Is used to the
extent OF two or three per cent in these
mixtures. In cake icings from FIVE to
six per cent has been found
ut is admitted that the melting point
OF parahne Ool degrees FahrenheiD, is
not the internal temperature Of the
human stomach. and therefore Il does not
become fluid. II has no neutritive value
as food, although II cannot be positively
stated that .,l the small amounts used IL
would hinder the process Of digestion
"One grain Of dry red, pink or yellow
coal tar color gives the average COM
mercial tint 10 cream goods. moonshine
work, etc. at ratio Of one pound Of dry
color to 2s,oho pounds OF candy. one
grain In clear or hard candles such az
stick candy. clear drops. etc. is sufficient
for three pounds OF candy"