The Detroit times., 1915-10-15
Goldfish Dyed to Repre-
sent Salmon

A New York incident which con-
tributed to the gayety OF nations
Was the recent find of the health de-
partment In that city OF consign-
men Of Alaskan salmon" destined
To be sold at from 50 cents TO 40
cents pound, but which in reality
was common everyday 10 cents
pound goldfish dyed n beautiful sal.
mon color The health department
which, IN passing. is right on the
job these days. took ten boxes OF
the suspicious fish to its labora-
tories. Here by analysis. DR.. Betz
found that the goldfish had been dip
ped in or treated w,lh pyroligneous
ocid and had then been treated with
coal tar dye known as Zanzibar
red. which gave the fish it's lustrous.
luscious color. Thus the Goldfish aris-
toCraCy entered the real millionaire
salmon class
In his instance the health de-
partment does not blame the cold
storage company, Il puts the blame
OH the shippers OF the fake salmon
aud will ascertain Just how much
the fish dealer offering these painted
fsh 10 his patrons. knew regarding
their identity. Until il Is known
Just what part ne played In this lit
tie drama OF painted fish. his name
will not be made public.
There are two or three lessons In
this episode. The first is: DO not
become frightened and instantly as
sume that all hsh sold by all deal
ers are paintci Your knowledge of
the relation OF the flight OF time TO
the processes OF decayinG nature
viii tell YOU that by the time ship
pers OF dealers had PAINTED the mil
lions of fish sold in our markets. the
FISH themselves would be beyond
earthly help II would require an
army OF dyers or painters 10 turn
all our goldfish into Alaskan salmon.
Moreover. II would soon eat up the
PROFITS OF the deal, as artists In any
line must be paid well Tor their ser
vices
Another reason Why we must not
fear 10 eat the fresh or the fine
canned fish We buy from reputable
dealer. because the health depart
mint made This Goldfish salmon dis.
covery. Is that health depart ments
are out after suspicious foods and
tell us about these only. They say
nothing about the millions Of pounds
OF perfect fish. naturally since there
Is nothing 10 say. So, We hear only
OF few cases OF suspicious prod
ucts which, like the one drunken
man in a crowd or perfectly sober
ones. is arrested and cared for by
the officers OF the law. D. not. there
fore. become panicky when you read
of dyed FISH or painted sausage.
Your health officials will take care
OF them. II You suspect your dealer
OF trickery. change your dealer.
Even IL YOU read that your board OF
health has inspected aud warned
merchant. he may be working with
them and improving his place 10 the
utmost OF his ability. Sometimes.
you yourself are caught at your
NbTHt ny NpHtpdhN. I'u iHhy d'ioN
leaking pipe. r stagnant pool In
your yard. leaking gas pipe 20,
through carelessness But YOU do
remedy things In time or II someone
Comes along and makes You see
what a menace these things are. II
Is exactly the same thing with the
dealer. lie will put things in com.
pary shape II the board OF health
end II YOU. his patroness insist.
Another lesson Of the foregoing
episode Is the fact that he deliber.
ately perpetrated the fraud of the
dyed Ash upon the consumer. This