Los Angeles herald., 1910-06-12
BENzOATE Of SODA
TO Be CONDEMNED
National Gamers Association
Will Take Action at At
IantiC City Meeting
USE DOUBLE STATED AMOUNT
Secretary Wilson Prevented Such
Action During Session
Held Last Year
USE DOUBLE STATED AMOUNT

WASHINGTON, June 11.-Because
of the widespread hostility to ben
zoate of soda as a preservative in
food products and the suspicion that
has been cast on all canned and con-
dimental foods by the action of the
government through Secretary of Agri-
culture Wilson in tolerating it, the cam
ners are having a hard time to con-
vince the public that they do not use
artificial preservatives. When the Ma
tional Gamers association met in At
lantic City last spring it was intended
that q strong resolution condemning
benzoate of soda should he adopted
and the public should be notified that
the Gamers did not use II. But at a
critical moment a letter was read from
Secretary Wilson, protesting against
such action and the resolution was not
pressed. He was as successful in his
efforts to prevent benzoate of soda
being condemned by the Gamers as he
was when he went to Denver last
August to the meeting of the state
and national dairy and food commits
sioners for the same purpose. The
situation has not however, pleased
those Gamers who believe in going on
record in favor of pure food, unadul-
terated either by inferior material or
artificial preservatives, and they have
determined TO place themselves square
ly before the public regardless of the
attitude of Secretary Wilson
FIRST BREAK
The first break came when the
adoption by the Indiana Gamers as
ISOLATION few days ago of a strong
set of resolutions announcing their un-
qualified opposition to the use of any
continental preserVatives except
sugar salt, spices and vinegar, and
pledging the association ito the en-
forcement of all laws which make for
food purity and sanitation"
The Indiana Gamers were doubtless
stirred to this action first, because of
Secretary Wilson's interference with
the proceedings of the national con-
vention of Gamers, and second because
of the testimony regarding unsanitary
packing house conditions that necessi-
tate the use of benZoate of soda, which
is being tested in the Indiana courts
at this time, where the friends of the
preservative are seeking to force
their goods upon the people of Indiana
against the prohibition of the state
board of health. The two concerns
which were most influential in securing
the appointment of the Remsen board,
which resulted in the overturning of
DR.. Wiley's inhibition of benzoate of
soda and Secretary Wilson's subse-
quont championship of the drug, are
the prime movers in the suit against
the Indiana state board of health.
DOUBLE AMOUNT
One of these firms labels it's product
as preserved with one-tenth of 1 per
cent and the other with one-twelfth
of 1 per cent benzoate of soda. DR..
w. d. McAbee, assistant chemist OF
the state board of health, testifying for
that board. swore that he had anal
yzed six bottles of ketchup made by
each of the firms in question. He
found that instead of one-tenth of
per cent being used the analysis
showed from Ill to 1877 per cent, or
nearly double the amount stated on
the label. In the case Of the firm
claiming to use one-tWelfth of 1 per
cent the analysis revealed the pres
ence of amounts ranging from .307 to
1927 per cent. or about four times the
amount stated by the manufacturers.
Whatever may be Secretary Wilson's
attitude on the subject, 1t would seem
that the administration will shortly
be compelled to take cognizance of the
matter, for the regulations permit the
use of the drug only when the amount
used is stated on the labels, and the
testimony in the Indiana case has con-
clusively shown that it is understood
in practically every instance. Even
those who are responsible for the un-
pleasant situation in which Secretary
Wilson finds himself seem unable to
keep faith and to confine themselves
to the allowed amount of the chemical
preserVatiVe