68 ANNUAL, REPORT OF THE OCE. Doc. 



There has been a most marked increase in the number and variety of break- 

 fast foods placed upon the markets of Pennsylvania, and the aggregate sales 

 have reached large proportions. This is especially true in the several coal-fields 

 of the State. The manufacturers spent money lavishly in their advertising 

 campaigns, in some instances making most extravagant or exaggerated claims 

 relative to the composition and nutritive values of such foods. WTiile many 

 of these brands really contain some of the advantages claimed, in nutritive 

 ratios, taken as a whole, their cost is frequently excessive and disproportionate 

 to their actual value. 



In order that some intelligible basis of comparison might become available 

 for the information of the public, samples of all brands found on sale in 

 Pennsylvania were placed in Prof. Frear's possession for a thorough examin- 

 ation. It is probable that fully one hundred distinct brands of such "break- 

 fast foods" will be reported upon in the near future, with a detailed statement 

 as to his findings, including component parts, nutritive value, purity, etc. 



There are diversities of opinion upon the results of such an exhaustive re- 

 search, but the Dairy and Food officials of Pennsylvania place no credence 

 in the alleged use of arsenic and other poisonous substances in the preparation 

 of these foods. Just what special treatment may have been accorded may not 

 be easy of determination, but if the brands obtained contain any harmful or 

 deleterious substances, Dr. Frear will discover it and so report to the Dairy 

 and Food Commissioner. 



While these cereal products are wholesome and advantageous, and it is a 

 matter of sincere regret that public confidence has been shaken by unfounded 

 reports, it is equally deplorable that manufacturers should persist in foisting 

 upon the public such grossly exaggerated claims as to their surpassing nutritive 

 quantities. The press of Pennsylvania has repeatedly manifested its interest 

 in the forthcoming bulletin, and it is hoped it may be available for public 

 distribution at an early date. 



If saw-dust, sand, hulls and woody shells were used in their manufacture, as 

 has been alleged, the chemists of competitive manufacturers would not have 

 been slow in making and announcing such discoveries. It is safe to assert that 

 the Pennsylvania investigation of cereal foods now in progress will be the 

 most complete and far-reaching ever conducted by any state in the Union. 

 The question of proper branding will receive particularly careful attention 

 during this examination into the merits of "breakfast foods" sold in Penn- 

 sylvania. 



THE SALE OF CHEESE IN PENNSYLVANIA. 



A few years ago, "filled cheese," as it was commonly known, was found 

 on sale in Pennsylvania in considerable quantities. Later, the National law 

 regulating its manufacture and sale, came to the relief of the public, while 

 Pennsylvania closely followed with legislation forbidding its manufacture and 

 sale in this State under heavy penalties. 



In reply to the question as to what is "filled cheese," it might be explained 

 that the material is made from milk from which more or less of the cream 

 has been removed and some other fatty material substituted, the usual sub- 

 stitute for the cream having been neutral lard or some material prepared 

 and, as intimated elsewhere, there is a strong possibility that the proper form 

 was added to the cheese and seasoned in the usual manner. Such cheese prac- 

 tically became an "oleo cheese." 



While the present cheese law of Pennsylvania is not just what is wanted 

 by the legitimate cheese manufacturer and dealer, it is better than none, 

 and there is no question as to the high quality of the cheese that is being 

 sold in our stores. The laws of New York are more strict and far reaching, 

 and as intimated elsewhere there is a strong possibility that the proper form 

 of a "cheese act" will be formulated and presented for consideration at the 

 hands of the coming Legislature. 



The cheese makers of Pennsylvania have the material and resources to man- 

 ufacture cheese second to none, and it is to be hoped that the Legislature will 

 pass wise, protective laws governing this important branch of dairying. Penn- 

 sylvania-made cheese should always be synonymous with excellence and purity. 



CHEMICAL. PRESERVATIVES FOUND IN CHEESE. 



It has been declared tliat the use of chemical preservatives in cheese is com- 

 paratively rare, if not entirely unknown by the cheese manufacturers of Penn- 

 sylvania. It is declared that the addition of a preservative to a cheese at the 

 time of its manufacture would so seriously interfere with the ripening process 

 as to actually defeat the purpose of storage altogether. The chemical preser- 

 vative that might be introduced for a specific purpose would undoubtedly de- 

 stroy the bacteria that are so essential in the ripening process. 



The artificial coloring of cheese, especially those with a low fat content, is 

 a serious matter, as many of the colors employed are alleged to be deleterious 

 to health. Until the passage of the new pure food laws, the clieese manufac- 



