Evening star., 1926-05-02
Il. s. GIJARDS FOOD INDUSTRIES
FROM MUCH HARMFUL HYSTERIA
''Scares' of Poison in Oyster, Fruit Meat and Other
Lines Kept at Minimum by Quiet, But
Efficient Work.

hysteria among apple eaters on this
side. officials believe.
So fearful are Government officials
of starting something that the De-
partment of Agriculture has adopted
a policy of utmost secrecy with re-
gard to its food inspection work.
Inspectors Always on Guard.
These food inspectors are doing
valuable work in a most secretive
and modest way. They are posted
at the turnstiles of trade to see that
only food fit for human consumption
gets through to the consumer in the
marts of city or town. They are con-
stantly on the alert. They are ada
mant in their determination that
nothing, from soup to nuts. shall
reach the table of our American cit
izenry that is not wholesome and
healthy.
While one cannot get the Depart
of Agriculture to say so. 1t is a fact
that large quantities of foodstuffs
are sent to the scrap heap every day
at the direction of inspectors charged
with administering the food and
drugs act. They operate under the
OIL SHeI1lSlIN. GNcIl IIlOSt
hardened microbe would vince un-
der the piercing gaze of their power
full microscopes, and the most
malignant poison precipitate from its
hiding place in their test tubes.
Perhaps these microscopes or test
tubes have discovered startling things
within the last few days. with con-
sequent consignment of the affected
goods into the garbage incinerator.
1t is a pretty safe bet that they have.
Bureau Shuns Publicity.
The Bureau of Chemistry would
not tell about it. whether or no. It's
food-inspection work is quietly car
ried on with as little publicity as
possible. The food inspectors have
lots to boast about-more perhaps
than other officials with fewer accom-
even a hint of their deeds will they
give to win the gratitude of the
beneficiaries.
Here, then. is at least one branch
of the Government which functions
efficiently without receiving the
plaudits of press or people rightfully
due it. Not that publicity would ma
terially affect the furtherance of it's
objectives. The point is simply that
the government, at the SaCrlICo Oh
selfish motives. will do nothing to in
terfere with the Nations prosperity,
and publication of the fact that
certain fruit, meat or vegetable had
been found contaminated certainly
would tend to disrupt the particular
industry involved.
This policy Of secrecy in the opera
ton of the food-inspection service
was arrived at after careful delibera-
ton among high officials of the De-
partment of Agriculture. The confer
ences were the direct outcome of such
"scares" as occurred in the oyster
industry and in the olive trade fol-
lowing announcements Of alleged bac-
terial contamination some months
ago.
All that the department will say
regarding it's work under the food
and drug act is that the public may
rest assured that every particle of
food which reaches the sales counters
Of the Nations markets and stores
has been thoroughly examined and
found pure.
Many Items Banned.
One sees now and then the depart
ment's stamp of approval on variJus
items destined for the daily menu.
Seldom does one hear, however. of
the departments prolific stamp of dis
approval. The IN. c." stamp is do
ing its highly important work without
fear or favor, even though the, con-.