1902.] FLAVORING EXTRACTS. 173 



into effect, about $200,000 for spices, of which amount, judg- 

 ing from the results of our examination of numerous samples, 

 fully one-quarter (or $50,000) went for fraudulent mixtures. 



It is stated on credible authority that about 600 tons of 

 cocoanut shells, obtained from the mills where shredded 

 cocoanut is prepared, are annually powdered for use in spices. 

 After simple grinding, the powder is mixed with ground all- 

 spice, which it resembles very closely. By cautious roasting 

 the color of ground cloves and nutmegs is matched, and by 

 roasting at a higher temperature a charcoal is obtained which, 

 mixed with a lighter colored material, such as cracker waste, 

 is a very good imitation of black pepper. Buckwheat by- 

 products are also utilized. The black hulls, ground with a 

 little of the starchy matter, make a very good-looking black 

 pepper. The middlings, which consist of the inner seedcoats 

 and some starchy matter, serve as a basis for white pepper, 

 and, when dyed, for other spices. In addition, sawdust, lin- 

 seed meal, mustard hulls, almond shells, biscuit crumbs, and 

 by-products from wheat, corn, rice, and other grains, as well 

 as many other waste products, are used for adulterating the 

 various spices. 



These spurious mixtures are sold, for the most part, in 

 bulk or in packages without the name of the grinder. 



During the first four years of the enforcement of the pure 

 food law 332 samples of spices sold in bulk were examined, 

 of which 127 (or thirty-eight per cent, of the whole number 

 examined) were grossly adulterated. 



During the present year 217 samples of bulk spices were 

 examined, of which fifty-three (or twenty-four per cent.) were 

 spurious. 



From these figures it can be seen that the adulteration of 

 spices has been and still is carried on to an alarming extent, 

 but it should be noted that the percentage of adulterated 

 samples in the whole number examined has decreased from 

 thirty-eight to twenty-four per cent, during the past six years. 

 This decrease, we believe, is due to our efforts in exposing 

 these frauds, and we hope that ere long fraudulent spices, 

 which have been sold in Connecticut since the days of wooden 

 nutmegs, may be driven entirely from our market. 



As bulk spices are still liable to adulteration, the purchaser 

 is strongly advised to buy only in sealed boxes bearing the 

 name of a reputable dealer. 



