The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1906-11-16

honey would not pass muster in the
states where there is pure food law
though here it is understood to be
caused by the bees absorbing the ex-
cretions of leaf hoppers and aphids.
The federal food law which will go
into effect early next year will apply
to any adulterated food and as the
honey standard was fixed before the
food law was passed it had no rela alton
to the honey of Hawaii but, as has
been stated. it would probably affect
it Replying to a question as to the
possibility of reducing the standard for
honey sot as to provide for the honey
dew" variety Mr. Shorey said there
would be no use in a standard if it
was to be lowered as it would invite
unprincipled dealers to adulterate. He
had in mind the plan to write DR..
Wiley relative to a change in the stan
dard for ash but he did not believe any
good would result from his efforts. In
his examinations he had not found
single sample with the standard for
ash. One from Molokai showed 44-100
per cent and no sample exceeds 20 per
cent in water, most of them did not
exceed fifteen per cent. From d pure
food standpoint he did not believe there
would be any objection to selling a
Honey Dew honey provide it was
distinguished in some way.
For the benefit of those who were
not present when the meeting was call
ed to order Mr.. Van Dine said the Ha-
waiian honey had received a black eye
on account of being below the STAN
dard and the analysis made by DR..
Shorey confirmed the reports from
abroad in some respects.
In answer to a question, E. c.. Smith
said every plant gave forth its own
peculiar flavor to the honey and it was
easy for an expert to distinguish one
from the other The little stingless
Australian bee that was brought here
some years ago fed upon a particular
tree and when the flowers of that tree
disappeared the bee followed, probably
starved for the need of that particular
food.
Food Commissioner Duncan said he
had made four analysis of honey from
purchases made in the performance of
his duty as Food Commissioner. In
two those of this Territory, he found
the product above the standard and in
the two imported samples he found
authorizations. He had communicated
to the sellers on the Coast ana they
admitted putting in glucose to make it
flow easier. Subsequently he had ana
lyzed samples that had been purchased
later. from the same packers, and
found it up to standard. The proper
ton Of ash in the samples was $40, 81
and 24-10o. two being less than stan
dard
On the subject of organization Mr..
Van Dine said it would be only a short
time when Hawaii would produce a
thousand tons of honey annually and it
seemed to him that it is time to organ
ize an associa ton. If there is to be a
letter sent to DR.. Wiley it would be
more effectuaI from an organization
than an individual.
AS food inspector Mr.. Duncan said
he would have to pronounce the honey
dew grade adulterated, according to the
standard. Here in the Territory the
federal authorities had control and
would enforce the pure food law. The
samples inspected by DR.. Shorey show
ed one per cent in potash which is
strong considering that some of the fer