The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-04-23
SANITARY HANDLING OF
1000 sTUffS IMPROVED
More Than $4,000 Inspections Made
Last Year to Correct Conditions in
Manufacture and Distribution,
OYSTER INDUSTRY is THRIVING
Recommended That Peanut Meal BE
Used For Cattle Feed in Place OF
Cottonsced Meal--Wili Eradicate
Bovine tuberculosis.

General Improvement in the sani-
tation of the production and handling
pof foodstuffs, an increase in inspec-
tons and q widespread betterment of
the food situation in the state was
reported by Commissioner Benjamin
l.. Purcell. Of the dairy and food com
mission. at the meeting of the state
board of agriculture held last Thurs
day In Norfolk. Several recommen-
dations looking to regulations regard
ing the storage of food products,
other food regulations which Mr.. Pur-
cell will bring to the attention of the
next legislature, were read to the
board.
The commissioner reported that in
the last year 1927 inspections We're
made, as against 2o,6S4 for the previ-
GUS year. These inspections were
made to correct insanitary conditions
existing in food manufacturing and
distributing places. and for the pur-
pose of general inspection Of all places
where foods are manufactured, stored
or sold The inspections also included
the oyster beds, oyster shocking and
packing houses and the canneries of
the state. The sale of t1,7S5 pack
ages of stock and poultry foods and
powders and 2.354 tons OF CONNER
cial stock feeds was stopped for the
reason that these products were IL
legally offered for sale. The inspec-
tors caused to be destroyed by orders
of the courts and by dealers owning
the products. 202,96+ pounds of hui
man food as unfit for consumption.
Slaughter Houses Improved.
Mr.. Purcell stated in his report that
there had been marked Improvement
f,, anif nf a
slaughter houses of the state since the
enactment of the law by the last legis
lature effecting these places He said,
however. that the demands for in
spections had grown so large that II
was necessary to increase the force
OF inspectors, and in order that more
complete protection may be given the
consumer. he will ask the legislature
for funds to give greater benefit of the
slaughter house sanitation law to a
larger number OF people.
The oyster industry ii the state
is now having one of the best years
in the experience OF the state. Mr..
Purcell stated He declared that on
account OF the sanitary methods used
in the preparation OF the food. and the
care used in gathering the oysters
from unpolluted waters. on account
Of the uniform excellence of the Nir-
ginia oyster. there has been no seizure
of Interstate or interstate shipments
during the present season.
Peanut Meal For Food.
Mr. Purcell reported to the meet
ing that after number of investiga-
tons he has found that peanut meal
and sofa bean meal can he advan-
tageously used in place of cotton
seed meal. The department. he says
is now recommending TO the dairy
men 10 substitute brewers dried
grains. peanut kernel and hull feed.
velvet bean meal and such other con-
centrated feed for the abnormally
high wheat and corn feeds now lib
orally used by the dairymen o. the
state in feeding their herds.
Work in the eradication of bovine
tuberculosis from the herds of the
state has been Systematically conduct
ed with the cooperation of the United
States bureau of animal industry In
the last year larger number of cattle
in the state have been subjected to
the tuberculin test than in any pre-
ceding year.
Among the reCommendation to be
made by MI Purcell are the regula-
ton of foods IN cold storage and the
inhibition Of speculation in food ne
cessities, and the enactment of a COM
prehensve llnseed oil. turpentine and
paint bill.