No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 77 



seed oil, etc., with olive oils intended for the export trade. To aid them in 

 attaining the end sought for, they have asked their government to grant an 

 export duty on olive oil. They further considered the advisability of estab- 

 lishing technical stations in New York, Japan and the South American re- 

 publics, in order that their interests might be best conserved and protected, 

 and further fraud prevented. 



In connection with this important action on the part of the Spanish importers, 

 it is worthy of note that the gigantic movement to stop the sale of adulterated 

 and counterfeit olive oil originated in the City of Philadelphia, where the evil 

 had assumed singularly large proportions. It was especially great among the 

 foreign importers. The investigations showed that the practice was even larger 

 and more common than had been suspected. The labeling of cottonseed oil 

 with foreign labels, whether in tin cans or in bottles, purporting to be the 

 genuine and imported brands of olive oil, was mJfeleading and quite common. 

 The goods contained in such packages were not only a base counterfeit, but 

 the seller thereof was equally guilty of selling illegally, consisting of cotton- 

 seed oil or cheap substitutes, because of the additional charge of false repre- 

 sentations and mislabeling. 



PURE SUGAR SOLD FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES. 



With the enormous amount of sugar that is being sold and consumed, some 

 citizens still believe this product is subject to adulteration. In several instances 

 correspondents of the Dairy and Food Bureau called attention to what they 

 regarded as violations of the law, supposing that the sugar purchased by them 

 from retail grocers was not commercially pure, and asserting that wheat flour 

 or some other form of adulterant had been added \.o cheapen the sugar and 

 increase the profit of the manufacturer. 



As all the sugar sold and used for domestic purposes has been refined, any 

 gross adulteration of the raw material would have been detected by the 

 manufacturer. In the investigations made by this Bureau, there is nothing 

 on record to show that the analytical examinations made from time to time 

 resulted in the discovery of a single fiagrant violation of the law. In fact, 

 the refined sugars sold in Pennsylvania for household use are amongst the 

 purest of all articles of food. 



While there is a greater possibility of finding adulterations in powdered or 

 pulverized sugar, it is worthy of note that these, too, were fuund of a uniform 

 good quality and purity. It has been reported, however, that one extensive 

 manufacturer of confectionery, purchases the best brands of granulated sugar 

 and pulverizes it as it may be needed, thus securing additional protection 

 against any attempt to adulterate. The coloring of sugar continues, but there 

 is no attempt to commit fraud, only to secure a greater uniformity in goods. 



SULPHITES IN GLUCOSE AND CONFECTIONERY. 



Those who are keeping informed as to the work done in Pennsylvania, will 

 recall the inhibition of the use of sulphurous acid or of its salt, sodium sul- 

 phite, in any food product. The analytical reports indicated its use even in 

 abnormally and unnecessarily large amounts in corn products, dried fruits, 

 beer and also in confectionery, where it was especially harmful since young 

 children partook of candy freely — consumers, who, as we fully realize, were all 

 the more susceptible to its baneful influences. These sulphites were an unnec- 

 essary part of the glucose which formed the base of many of the cheaper 

 grades of candy. The hundreds of prosecutions brought by the Dairy and 

 Food authorities of Pennsylvania aroused strong protest, but the result aimed 

 at has been largely attained. The so-called "glucose trust" is now supplying 

 candy manufacturers and others with glucose that is entirely free from sul- 

 phurous acids and sulphites. 



It is asserted by those who are well qualified to judge that the continual 

 use of sulphites produces an unfavorable symptom in the health of the body. 

 With a combination of the numerous preservatives and antiseptics employed 

 in food products, and the fact that some of them are of the accumulative type, 

 is it any wonder that the public entered an appeal for help to combat the 

 growing iniquity? 



The United States government authorities are now engaged in making a 

 scientific examination into the molasses and can syrups of Louisiana and 

 other sugar cane-producing sections with a view of determining what effect. 

 If any, the change in the method of manufacture would have on such pro- 

 ducts. So far, the molasses lacks only the difference in color; that is, it is 

 no longer being bleached with the aid of sulphites, and consequently is of a 

 slightly darker color. The evident intent in using this objectionable material 

 was simply to please the eye, since it could not possibly add anything to the 

 quality of the food product in which it M'as used. The same experience will 

 apply to glucose. The National Confectioners' Association of the United States 

 and the confectioners of Pennsylvania in particular, have declared against the 

 manufacture and sale of any confectionery containing deleterious materials of 



