The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-03-04
INSPECTION OF MEAT.
Efforts to Make Federal Stamp
Stand For Something.
GOOD EFFECTS OF INSPECTION Law

GOOD EFFECTS OF INSPECTION LAW
Diseased Animals and Products Con-
tanning Unhenlthful Chemicals or
Ingredients Are Destroyed-Extent
to Which Use of Preservatives IL
PerInitted-NO Meat Food to BE Sold
Under Deceptive Name.
It Is the endeavOr of this administra-
ton to make the federal stamp upon
meats and meat food products stand
for something. says a special CORE
spondent Of the New York Post. In
the main the meat inspection law ap-
pears to work very we'll. The short
time the law has been in operation
renders it impossible to say more than
this. Important amendments may be
necessary after it has been in opera
ton for longer time. The enactment
applies only to four kinds of animals
cattle, sheep, swine and goats-and to
the carcasses, meat and meat food
products of these animals. In the
month Of October last the veterinary
inspectors caused to be destroyed alb
sOlutely for food purposes 2.93S cattle
and calves. $50 sheep and S.32S swine
In addition several thousand other ami
mails were rendered into lard or tallow
at the order of the federal inspectors
to protect the consumer against posi-
BILE danger of infection from eating
the meat. A conservative estimate OF
the value, if healthy. of the carcasses
destroyed for food purposes during the
course of one year is more than ST.
100000.
Meats and meat products which con-
tain dyes, chemicals, personalities or
ingredients which render them IN
sound, unhealthful or unwhOlesome are
destroyed by the inspectors. Preserv-
atives may be used, however, in food
products for export to foreign countries
when the preservative has been order
ed by the foreign purchaser and when
no substance has been used in the pres
ervation or the packing of the meat
which conflicts with the laws of the
foreign country to which it is to be eX-
ported. Dyes which are harmless may
be used in the discretion of the depart
ment of agriculture, but so far the only
dye that is permitted is annatto when
used to color OleO OIL
No preventative or chemical other
than common salt, sugar. wood smoke,
vinegar, pure spices and saltpeter may
be used in any meat or meat Off-prOd-
uct bearing the legend, ~. S. Inspect
ed and Passed" A revolution in this
matter has been accomplished within
the last five months. The former
practice can best be illustrated by
remark made by small packer to the
secretary of agriculture. In discuss
ing the subject of preservatiyes in
sausage he said: "Mr. Secretary, what
Is reasonable is reasonable. What l
want to use is little borax, a little
salicylic acid, little aniline dye and
little preservaline, and l can make
sage now without using any of these
substances.
When manufacturer of sausage
was Informed that the department had
forbidden the use of preservatives, he
replied: chat does not affect me- l
do not use any preservatives.' His in
formant continued that the depart
ment had forbidden the use Of borax,
at which he exclaimed: Heavens! My
business Is ruined.'
The law provides that all carcasses
or parts which upon postmortem in
spection are found to be sound, health
full, wholesome and fit for human food
shall be labeled, inspected and Pass
ed" and all carcasses or parts not In
the prescribed condition shall be Ia
beled, inspected and Condemned
This requirement of the law is strictly
followed.
No meat food is allowed to be offer
ed for sale under any false or decep-
tive name. The department has held
under this clause Of the law that the
use of the labels which are misleading
In any particular cannot be permitted.
The effect Of this Interpretation is that
when one purchases can Of lard bear
ing the words, Pure Lard" and the
legend, ~. S. Inspected and Passed
Under the Act of June 80. 1906" he
may be sure that he is actually receiv-
ing pure lard. Similarly, when can
hco hn & m
cd. Veal Loaf" the meat constituent
is veal and not pork. "Potted Ham
Is ham and not minced dried beef.
Looking Backward.