The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1905-04-14
Will fight MEAT PERSONALITIES
Laid Issues Warning Regarding the Use Of
Chemical Preservatives in Meat.

During the past year meats were
very generally found to contain chem
ical preservatives, and to some extent
coloring matter, usually of coal tar
origin. This was particularly true with
) regard to the use of preservatives in
dried meats, smoked meats, Clipped
beef, ham, bacon, minced meats, sau-
sages OF all kinds. and hamburger
steak. The use of chemical preserva-
tlyes was general among the large
packers of meats. There were very
lew butchers in the state who were
not using chemical personalities,
such as freezem, icine, preservaline,
bull meal -four etc. All of these prod
ucts thus far examined have been
found to contain boraic acid, supplies,
formaldehyle, etc., and therefore their
use In meats render the same illegal.
These products were purchased di-
rectly or Indirectly from B. Heller &
Co. of Chicago, or from the Preserva-
line Manufacturing company of New
York and Chicago. The Preservaline
Manufacturing company states that
''preservaline will keep milk, cream,
buttermilk, cheese, eggs, meats of all
kinds, game, poultry, fish, oysters,
clans, Holsters, crabs, fruit, vegeta-
bles, minced meats, jams, preserves,
jellies. in prime condition, perfectly
sweet and fresh for any length of time
without the use of ice"
In order to put stop to the use of
chemical preservatives in meats it be-
came necessary to prosecut several
butchers who refused to comply to the
law. The men were repeatedly in
formed by the manufacturers of these
preservatives that they would defend
them against persecution under the
food law. It may be said that every
butcher against whom cases were
started either pleaded guilty or was
convicted and paid the fine-twenty-
one cases in all. Ample opportunity
was given, in at least three of these
cases, for the manufacturers of these
chemicals to make test case had
they desired to do so. This they de-
clined to do.
After these prosecutions, butchers
complied with the law, but of late our
attention has been repeatedly called
to the fact that representatives of
houses manufacturing these chemicals
were trying to induce butchers to con-
tinue the use of these prohibited prod
ucts, and nave begun an active cam
Daign which would seem to indicate
that it was their intention to arraign
the meat men in opposition to the food
law in a way to prevent it's enforce
ment. In this respect B. Heller & Co.
seemed to be, through their represent
atives, particularly active. To learn
what their attitude was to be, / wrote
the company under date of March 4,
Informing them of the statement being
made by representatives Of their
house. 1 further stated:
Il have given you every opportunity
to make test case, had you cared to
do so. would like to know what
Your purpose is at the present time:
Some action is going to be taken to
put stop to this thing, and if you
wish to make a test case. we'll and
good, but if not, it will be better for
you to comply with the law of the
state or get out of it, for no benefit
comes either to you or to the butchers,
who are sure to be prosecuted if they
follow the advice that is being given
by representatives from your house.
Kindly let me hear from you at an
early date"
My letter was referred to their at
torney, who replied for the company
as follows:
Chicago, March Z, 19O5.-Prof. f.
F. Ladd. State Food Commissioner,
Agricultural College, North Dakota