The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1911-08-24
CONTINUE NEAL INVESTIGATION
Inspectors Gather Samples in Many
South Carolina Towns.

South Carolina Towns.
Columbia, Aug. 17.-With two in.
spectors in the city of Columbia, and
three in other portions of the State
all busily engaged In taking and
sending in to the laboratories samples
of corn meal now being sold fol
human food, it is evident that most
determined campaign is well under
way to eliminate from South Caro-
lima the spoiled and highly danger
Gus meal, which, it is believed has
been sold in large quantities. In
addition to these five inspectors,
special man left at Z o'clock this
morning for other States, where he
will examine into the source of the
supply of this meal.
Prosecution May Result.
inspectors to-day" said Commis-
sioner E. J. Watson, ''are taking
samples of corn meal in every retail,
wholesale and distributing house in
Columbia, and sending them to the
laboratories. Wherever spoiled corn
meal has been found, orders have
been Immediately given, withdrawing
it from sale, pending a final deter
mination of what action will be taken
with regard to the sellers and manu-
facturers. This final action will de-
pend to a large extent, it is stated,
upon the report of the inspector, who
is investigating the factories from
from which the impure stuff was sent
out. If it is found that spoiled corn
was used as basis of manufacture,
it is possible that some prosecutions
will follow.
Only Recently Discovered.
The fact that spoiled corn meal
has been sold throughout the State
in large quantities, was certainly dis
covered only quite recently. Com
missioner Watson received day or
two ago reports from the chemical
analysis of samples of corn meal,
which had been taken by inspectors
in eleven points in the State. These
analysis all showed that the acidity
ran far above the normal and safe
limits.
Since these first II samples came
in, the inspectors have been taking
samples promiscuously throughout
the State, and the laboratories are
kept busy analyzing them. When
the report is received, and shows
the meal to be unsafe, orders are be-
ing given which will prohibit the sale
of any corn meal goods in that par
ticular store manufactured by the
company whose goods have thus been
shown to be unsafe for use. Thus
large portion of the stock Is tied
up in each of the communities where
investigation has shown bad meal.
Acidity Too High.
Meal showing a high percentage
of acidity, and therefore unfit for
food, has been found at Union, Ches-
ter, Clinton, Ninety-Six, Bath, Bates
burg, Calhoun Falls, Lancaster and
Columbia. Samples from a number
of other points have been received
also, and are now being examined.
It is stated that large lot came in
this morning from towns in the Pied
mont section. Nothing can be learn
ed for several days as to the result
Of the investigation in Columbia, al
though some bad meal has been
found here already.
The normal acidity for good corn
meal is IA or Is per cent. In meal
where the acidity runs higher than
80 per cent, it is stated, the stuff is
unfit for use. Of large lot of spoil
ed meal the percentage varied all
the way from 80 per cent. to go and
higher.
Manufactured Outside State.
All of the meal which has been
found to be spoiled, it is stated, has
been manufactured outside Of this
State. There is heavy penalty fix
ed both by the State laws and by the
Federal laws prohibiting the sale OF
corn meal unfit for use, and the mat
ter is a very serious one, indeed,
with the manufacturers OF other
States who have been thus sending
spoiled meal into this State for sale
Evidence is carefully being compiled
by the department of agriculture
commerce and industries, and If