Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-01-19
INSPECTION OF MEAT.

Efforts to Make Federal Stamp Stand
For Somethins.
Il is the endeavor Of this administra-
ton to make the federal stamp upon
meats and meat food products stand
for something, says special CORE
spondent Of the New York Post. In
the main the meat inspection law APP
pears to work very well. The short
time the law bas been In operation
renders 1t Impossible to say more than
this. Important amendments may be
necessary after 1t has been In opera
ton for longer time. The enactment
applies only to four kinds Of animals
cattle, sheep. swine and goats land to
the carcasses, meat and meat food
products Of theas animals. In the
month OF October last the veterinary
Inspectors caused to be destroyed alb
solutely for food purposes 1888 cattle
and calves, S32 sheep and 1923 swine.
In addition several thousand other ami
maxi were rendered into lard or Inflow
ct the order Of the federal inspectors
to protect the consumer against possI-
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 81
10000.
Meats and meat products which con.
tain dyes, chemicals, preservatives or
Ingredients which render them un-
sound, unheaHhful OF unwholesome are
destroyed by the inspectors. Preserv-
atlves 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 1t Is to be ex-
ported. Dyes which are harmless may
be used In the discretion Of the depart
ment Of agriculture, but 80 far the only
dye that Is permitted r. annatto when
used to color oleo oil.
No preservative or chemical other
than common salt, sugar, wood smoke,
vinegar, pure spices and saltpeter may
be used in any meat or meat of-prod-
uct bearing the legend, ~. 8. 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 q
remark made by small packer to tina
secretary Of agriculture. In discuss
ing the subject of preservatives in
sausage he said: sMr. Secretary, what
Is reasonable Ia reasonable. What I
want to use is little borax, little
salicylic acid, little aniline dye and q
little preservaline, and ! can make
sausage oil right" He is making sau-
sage now without using any of these
substances.
When manufacturer of sausage
was Informed that the department had
forbidden the use of personalities, he
replied: 'That does not affect me. /
do not use any personalities" His in
formant continued that the depart
ment had forbidden the uAe Of borax,
at which he exclaimed: Heavens! MY
business is ruinedw
The law provides that all carcasses
or parts which upon postmortem In
spection are found to be sound, health
full, wholesome and at for human food
shall be labeled, Inspected and Pass
cd" and all carcasses or parts not in
the prescribed condition shall be la
beled. Inspected and Condemned"
This requirement Of the law il strictly
followed.
No meat food IL allowed to be Offer
ed for sale under any false OF 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 10 that
when one purchases q can Of lard bear
ing the words. "Purs Lard" and the
legend, ~. s. Inspected and Passed
Under the Act Of June 80, 1906" he
may be sure that he 10 actually receiv-
ing pure lard Similarly, when a can
bearing the inspection legend 10 mark
Cd, ''Veal Loaf" the meat constituent
IL veal and not pork. "Potted Ham"
II ham and not minced Asied beet.