Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1913-03-22
MUCH FOOD SEIZED
Pure Food Law Violations in Last
Year.
In Several Instances Cases Reported
for Criminal Action Based on Ship
ments Of Seized Goods Found
to Be Poisonous ingredients.

ashington.-Fourteen hundred and
fifty-nine violations of the federal
pure food law were reported to the
department of justice for action in
the last year. OF the total number OF
cases. 991 were criminal and i67 were
recommendations for the seizure OF
adulterated or misbranded foods and
drugs. There were 74I cases prose
cuted by United States attorneys in
the year. OF the criminal cases
prosecuted, 381 resulted in convic-
tons and twenty-three were decided
adversely to the government. F1nes
were imposed in the criminal cases
amounting to more than $4,000. and
In addition costs were assessed. gen.
orally against the defendants or the
cases reported, 407 were pending In
the courts at the close of the year, and
S76 were under consideration by the
department of justice.
The first Jail sentences for viola
tions of this act were imposed last
year, and there was tendency on the
part of the courts to impose larger
lines for first offenses. The maximum
Inc of 5000 was imposed in twelve
cases, and there were also imposed
,ne fine of $3.50, SO or $500 each. two
hnes of SIS each and 81 fines of so
each. In 1911 the maximum fine of
5000 was imposed in ia cases and
here were imposed lour lines Of $3.50
each, olle nne d sia5 70 nnSsof saQQ
saeh, one fins OF SIS and ss'slnes OF
$50 each, There was also imposed Q
Inc Of 500 h thfse cases pr9secuf.
: "a, where several aduiterated and
misbranded articles were contained In
one shipment While there was a
slight decrease in the number OF
maximum fines imposed there was
substantial increase in the number OF
Eases In which fines of 800 and $50
we're imposed.
\ In the seizure cases DEGREES of CON-
demnation and forfeiture were enter
I'd against 29i shipments of adulter-
ated and misbranded goods In ac-
sorderrvvr--- -~itts - n e-.-,.->.~-l= .practice-
whenever seisod articles of food were
found to consist of filthy, decomposed
or putrid substances, or to contain
poisonous or deleterious ingredients
which might render them injurious to
health. the department has insisted
that orders be entered directing the
destruction of the goods. One hun
dred and three shipments of this
: class were destroyed.
On the other hand in the class of
cases where the adulteration or mis-
branding was such that it could be
,ured by relabeling, the courts have
Usually released the seized goods to
~,
,laimonts have appeared and consent
I'd to the entry of DEGREES of condem-
nation and forfeiture. paidsthe costs
of the proceedings and fled bond. as
provided for by Section 10 Of the act
hat the goods would not thereafter
be sold 'er ~otherwise disposed of con.
:rary to law. One hundred and sixty
two shipments Of this, class of leases
we're released insthe year. after. re
abeling, and the filing of -satisfactofy
bonds There were seized and con-
1emneds shipments Of sardines, fgs.
1erringy dried >arnles dried cherries.
condensed milk pie Flling. cold cream
ointment. soft drinks candles, cor
1ials chestnuts oysters tomato pulp
'rozen EGGS. bottled water. apnles pea.
7pts turpept'ne. srarkling burgundy
brandy, vanilla extract dried black
berries dried egg lidnors, butter
vinegar. prunes Witch hazel andehay.
. In. several irFtdDgsa cases. were re-
,orted for crimfffat pros seeution based:
m 'rhirrerts of 4sised goods found TO
consist of .filthg5 dscompo or putrid
rirbstaHees sr0r to SoiHtain added noison.
s,us or deleterfoug Ingredients which
might render thear1niuriousft health.
srorr cases were discontinued because
y lack OF evidence 10 maintain them
4 eighteen casessse eiznres were. not
sc5ade ibecauge the Gods had been, dis
.rcsed OF prior td sfhe' Ming 6f iibels
IN one setxarey case the1court refused
to Issue process and In another the
proceedinHs wera dismissed.
cNsbMP TON. y