The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-01-01
INSPECT IMPORTED FOOD.
Many Shipments of Adulterated Products
Denied Entry.

That increased vigilance on the part oil
officials in charge of the enforcement OF
the food and drugs act is required by
conditions brought about by the Euro
pean war to prevent shipment into the
United States of adulterated and mis-
branded foods and drugs is shown by the
report of the chief of the bureau OF
chemistry, just published While the
volume of imported foods and drugs has
decreased since the outbreak of the war,
the variety of grades has increased.
Likewise the number of shipments In
proportion to the quantity is larger, for
it is now necessary for importers to get
from many sources the supplies which
previously could be obtained from one
place. One importer may bring in 20
small shipments, all obtained in differ
emit places and of varying degrees OF
purity, where previously he would have
brought in the same quantity in one
shipment of uniform quality. This makes
| it necessary for the inspectors to look
out for and examine 90 shipments in
stead of one.
The high prices prevailing for certain
products which can be obtained only
from abroad, particularly spices and
crude drugs, has increased the tempta-
tion to aduterate. According to the chief
chemists report, shipments of coriander,
fennel, celery, anise, cumin, Chinese and
Indian mustard, SIENNA leaves, chincona,
ipecac and other products were found to
be aduiterated and Were denied entry
into this country. Many shipments of
medicines were found to be misbranded,
the labels containing false or fraudulent
claims as to the curative powers, and
such shipments were detained until the
misbranding was corrected. Among
other articles of food found to be in vio- |
lation of the law may be mentioned de-
composed tomato pastes and products, !
spoiled sardines, wormy olives, olive oil, |
pepper, macaroni, and beverages. Special !
attention was given to milk imported
from Canada into the New England |
states. There was marked improve
ment in the wholesomeness of this milk |
during the year. owing to the exclusion
of shipments of contaminated milk pro-
duced under unsanitary conditions.
Branch laboratories are maintained by |
the bureau of chemistry at the principal
ports of entry, such as New York, Bos-
ton, New Orleans, Philadelphia, San
Francisco, and many others, in order
that analysis may be made of samples of
such shipments of foods and drugs
offered for entry into this country
as are suspected of being adulterated or
The inspectors serutinize
al invoices of food and drug products
that come to this country. The foreign
shipper is required to certify to certain
facts regarding his foods and drugs be-
lore United States consular officer, and
.hese certificates are attached to the in
voices. If the examination of the in
voices and accompanying certificates
eads the United States inspectors to
suspect that the foods or drugs are adul-
Grated or misbranded. samples are taken
or analysis and the shipment held until
t has been determined whether the goods
re in violation Of the law.
The import section of the food and +
rugs act, in addition to the require
nents applied to domestic products, pro-
ides that no foods or drugs shall be adj