The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-11-10

DER Ln6 o1TeCLlon< OF the aGr1CuIIural
department, is one of the prominent
Fair visitors and is. greatly interested
in the exhibits. Capt. Rose, it will be
remembered, is a vigorous defender of
the pure food bill passed by the last
legislature. This bill is just now rum
ming the gauntlet of some very severe
criticism by certain interests because
1t prohibits the use of benzoate of
soda as a preservative.
Since DR.. Wiley's efforts under the
interstate commerce law to prevent
the use of benzoate of soda in foods,
on the ground that it is injurious to
health, the subject has been a live
one and Florida is having her expert
ence with the controversy in common
with the rest of the country.
A Journal representative yesterday
asked Capt Rose to explain the F1orida
pure food law, and particularly that
benZoate of soda SIS a preservative,
and the state chemist talked very in
terestingly on the subject.
PEOPLE ARE SATISFIED.
'"The amended pure food law passed
Rose, has met with the hearty CO.
operation of the consumer and dealer.
wholesale and retail. of the state, and
has given general satisfaction to con-
sumerS.
"of course, there has been some
complaint, and certain interests have
criticised the law, particularly manu-
facturers and dealers in short weight
package foods, who have in to- past
twenty foilr crace xos- i 0part Y They
did not desire to acknowledge the
fact that these goods were 10 to Is
per cent short OF the weight or meas
ure indicated by the size of the pack
age.
This particularly applied to cooking
oils, lard, lard compounds, syrups,
-four, grain and other staple groceries,
also to canned goods, vegetables, etc.
'The merchants, sshowever, are now
in full accord with the law and ad
mfnistrative officers, and are demand
ing Of manufacturers that the net
weight or measure shall be stated on
all packages Of food coming into the
state.
Few manufacturers have failed to
comply with the Law. Those who have
tinue the practice Of selling short
weight foods. All those who handle
honest, fuI-weight packages welcome
the law, as it removes the unfair COM
petition Of the short-weight package,
which in a number of instances was
fully 20 per cent below the weight as
indicated by the size Of the pack
ages.
AS TO PREsERVATlvEs.
There has been considerable criti-
cism of the law by certain manufac-
turers of chemically preserved goods,
with more or less predictions of evils
to arise from the use of pure, un-
adulterated non-preservative goods,
from fermentation or spoilage. But we
must consider that there are a large
number Of manufacturers OF flrst-class
goods who do not now, and never
have, used preservatives, 'benzoates,'
ETC., whose goods do not ferment or
spoil simply because only sound ma
terials are used, packed under proper
sanitary conditions.
The reason for this cry is obvious.
They wish to continue ia use the
waste MATERIAL fermented and decay
ed fruits, cores and skins, and other
waste products or offals Of the can
ners, which on account of their un-
wholesome condition require preserva-
ttves to disguise their inferiority.
PRESERVATIVES NOT NECESSARY
"Preservatives are unnecessary when
wholesome sound fruit or vegetables
ditions, as Is evidenced by the num-
erous concerns who do furnish first
class material ketchups, sauces,
fruit syrups, and similar goods, with
out preservatives. Such goods kept
In clean sanitary containers and sur
roundings do not ferment nor spoil,
particularly where refrigeration is
convenient.
1T is to be regretted that a number
OF our soft drink establishments are
not kept In the proper sanitary con-
dition; in fact, it is the rule, not the
exception, that such places are kept
in anything but a clean and sanitary
condition
RENZoATES HARMFUL.
"As to the wholesomeness Of benzo-
ates, the evidence is that it is harmful.
To say the least, it has been condemn
ed as an ingredient in food by the
American Medical Association and
other scientific men 1t is at least un-
necessary, and only required to dis
guise inferior materials used in the
manufacture.
"All anti-ferments are also anti-di-
gestives. A chemical that prevents
fermentation will alos prevent diges-
ton.
All such drugs are dangerous and
unwholesome, and are not necessary