Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-07-12

I'oStoiI, July ll.-ln Oruer tnat ire
general public of Massachusetts may
know the truth with regard to the ma
ture of the canned meat products
which are sold in this state, the state
board of health today made public the
result of an investigation which it has
heen conducting into this matter. The
board caused to be collected and ex-
amined nearly $50 different kinds of
canned meat, from every possible
source. The examinations included
tests not only as to the presence of
chemical preservativeS, but also as to
the actual materials used in "pottcd''
and "deviled" meats and meat loaf"
In general way the results of the in
vestigation are favorable to the manu-
facturers. both in the East and in the
West. but it was found that many of
the preparations contained large
amount of foreign matter
OF one brand of ported ham, prepar-
ed by Western firm, the report states:
This was found to consist of Il small
amount of normal muscle. considerable
epidermis in large pieces. numerous
blood vessels and nerves and salivary
gland, ground to a paste. Quality poor,
the material being large scrap
OF another Western ported ham the
report says:
'Ahundant muscle fibre. considerable
eridermis, much granular debris, some
fat and corn meal. Quality fair. but
inasmuch as there appears to be no eX-
cuSe for the presence OF corn meal, it
must he regarded as adulterated."
An Eastern potted ham is described
as follows:
appearance good, muscular fibre
abundant; contains neither epidermis
nor salivary gland. Quality excellent"
A number of the other products. the
board of health states, contain corn
meal. The board says:
"Deviled ham is or should be ham
to which seasoning has been added.
The majority of deviled hams in the
market. however, contain added ma
terial which in no way can contribute
to a sharp taste or indeed TO any taste.
Corn meal, for example. adds nothing
to the flavor, but it is cheap and en-
ables a meat product to carry consid-
cradle additional water.'
Several brands of prepared meat were
found to contain either boric acid or
boraX as preServative. One Western
chicken loaf" is thus described:
every little muscular fibre; much
connective tissue and corn. 1t it pre-
served with either boric or borax. The
labl states that the material is of SUI
prior quality. having been carefully
sele cted and inspected according to the
law enacted by Congress March 3. 1891,
relating to the inspection of meats"
The board says:
"Most Of the specimens Of boned
chickens proved to be Of excellent quail
ity; some were fair and some were dis
tinctly inferior, both in appearance and
color"
OF one brand Of boned chicken which
has been widely advertised as of the
highest quality the report says:
1.-TWO specimens examined We're bad
in color and appearance; they contain
ed small fragments of meat and large
pieces of skin which contained pin
feathers; fragments Of leg bones and
an occasional black feather"
The investigation was conducted un-
der the direction of the secretary OF
the board, Dr. Charles Harrington. who
also directed an examination of call
the large and a considerable number
of the small establishments" for meat
packing in the state. Regarding these,
the report says:
'The large establishments were found
to be conducted in all particulars In
scrupulously neat and clean manner
At one establishment, for example, there
is force Of 60 to 70 men who begin
cleaning the establishment from top to
bottom as soon as the days work is
done. OF 25 smaller establishments,
only five We're found to be entitled to
grade excellent Judging from the re-
turns submitted. the great majority OF
slaughter houses in the small towns
would be found to be conducted with
out decent regard to ordinary cleanli-
ness. In a majority Of the small es-
tablisments the offal and blood are
thrown below to the swine. When one
considers the susceptibility of swine to
infection through tubercular matter,
one may easily question the advisable
ity of feeding swine on whatever en-
trains, whether from healthy or dis
eased animals. happened to be at hand
and then killing them later for human
food and selling without proper inspec-