Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-01-26
Labelling Butter Packages.


1t seems of great Importance that it
should be brought to the attention of
the public, and in particular to farmers
and producers of all articles of food,
that law was enacted during the last
session OF the legislature requiring the
quantity to be stamped on all articles Of
food sod in package form.
Realizing the possibility of hardship
and the change of labels and the secur-
ing of proper wrappers, the law was not
made effective until Sept. 3, 1914.
The particular attention of dairymen
and farmers 10 called to the fact that all
dairy products come within the scope of
this law, and that butter-in order to be
cold in conformity with the law-should
bear the net weight on the wrapper. All
persons selling butter should take care
to secure butter wrappers with the net
weight printed upon them.
For the convenience of all persons dis
pensiDg food, the following regulatory
announcement has been issued from the
bureau of inspection and Is being distrib-
uted among dealers by deputies of the
department..
For the benefit of all dealers dispens-
ing food in package form, the following
regulatory announcement is made:
Particular attention is called to Sec
ton 20, chapter 1l9, P. l.. 1911 added to
p. L. 1918, chapter 164): "For the pur-
pose of this act, an article of food in
package form if sold at a greater price
than five cents shall also be deemed to be
misbranded if the quantity of the con-
tents be not plainly and conspicuously
marked on the outside of the package in
terms of weight, measure, or numerical
count; providing however, that reason
able variations shall be permitted, and
toerances shall be established by rules
and regulations made in accordance with
section thirteen of this act. And further
provided that the penalties of this act
shall not be enforced on account of sale
of food not branded In terms of weight,
measure, and numerical count purchased
prior to September 8, nineteen hundred
and fourteen"
This measure will now be enforced by
this department. Dealers in all food
products should exercise great care in
purchasing, taking the precaution to as
certain from manufacturers and jobbers,
aud their representatives, that goods are
properly marked as provided by the
above statute before they are accepted,
and great care should be taken by all
goods to consumers.
Attention is also called to the fact that
a federal law becomes effective on this
same date which, in most respects, is
similar to the state law, the variation be-
ing that the size of the package and the
quantity govern the requirements, rath-
er than the price.
Tolerauces and special rules have not
as yet been fixed, but will be established
at the discretion of the executive, as oc-
casion requires. Penalty for the viola
ton of this statute is herewith also CIV
en-:
"Section 16. Any person who adul-
terates or misbrands within the mean
ing of this act, any food, or any person
who manufactures, sells, distributes,
offers or exposes for sale,
or transportation any article
Of food in violation of any of the provis-
ions of this act, shall be punished by a
fine not exceeding one hundred dollars
for the first offence, and by fine not ex-
ceeding two hundred dollars for each
subsequent offense. "A. NJ. G. Soule,
Chief, Bureau of Inspection.