88 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



LARD ACT. 



liKi'T tills iict, we liavo collected and analyzed '21 samples. Of 

 tliiH niiniln'i*, 10 were foimd to be pure and- 17 were compound. We 

 have prosecuted 10 cases. Of this number, «J were terminatedi and 4 

 are still pending. One case, which was commenced previous to 

 January 1, liurj, was terminated during this period. We have col- 

 lected and paid into the State Treasury, under this act, |23.00 in fines 

 and costs. 



VINEGAR ACT. 



Under this act. we have collected and had analyzed 68 samples. 

 (»f this number, ;{7 were found to be up to standard, 24 were below 

 standard and 7 contained a coloring matter. We have prosecuted 

 2.") cases. Of this number, 11 are terminated and 14 are still pending. 

 We have collected and paid into tjhe State Treasury, under this act, 

 ?447.42 in fines and costs. 



I resi)ectfully call your attention to the large number of samples, 

 whi'h were found by analysis to contain a preservative. This con- 

 dition existed to a certain extent during former years, and, while 

 prosecutions were brought upon cases which were found to contain 

 a certain preservative, we have hesitated in bringing cases against 

 such as contain salts-of-copper as a coloring matter, and those con- 

 taining boracic acid and other preservatives of like character. But 

 owing to the decision of the^upreme Court of the State upon certain 

 sections of the Pure Food Act of 1895, in regard to tihe use of food 

 preservatives, a copy of which I have attached to this report, we 

 have successfully prosecuted a large number of cases, which has had 

 such a beneficial effect, that, at the present time, parties detected 

 selling foods containing injurious preservatives in the majority of 

 thffH^ cases brought, have come forward and voluntarily paid their 

 tines and costs to the magistrates, or in court. This was done espe- 

 cially by defendants who had been prosecuted for using boracic acid 

 and suli)hit('s in meats. They were defended by the large packing 

 houses of the West, ui)on whom, I am reliably informed, our attitude 

 in regard to preservatives has been the cause of having established 

 separate departments for the special purpose of the preparation of 

 meats for Pennsylvania markets, in which no preservatives are per- 

 mitted to be used. This will be of great benefit to the farmer and 

 meat producers of our State. 



VSTii'e we were somewhat discouraged in our first efforts in the 

 enforcement of the law, as regards the use of boracic acid in food 

 products, the ontlook at the present time, is very encouraging, and 

 we now feel that we will be able in a very short time to drive from 

 the markets of the State, all foods which contain injurious preser- 

 vativefe. 



