BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 225 



LABELING MEATS AND PRODUCTS. 



More than 28,000 labels, cartons, stencils, and other similar mate- 

 rials were submitted for approval. This number exceeded by ap- 

 proximately 18,000 that for the preceding year. Approximately 

 27,000 were approved, while about 1,000 were disapproved as not 

 conforming to the regulations. Investigations resulted in eliminat- 

 ing from the current files 6,300 approvals which had become obsolete, 

 isteps were taken to simplify the requirements for the approval and 

 filing of labels and other materials. 



As a result of investigations pertaining to the use of powdered 

 milk in the preparation of meat and meat food products, regulations 

 were issued to prevent the adulteration of products by means of 

 water due to the absorbent properties of powdered milk and pro- 

 hibiting the deceptive labeling of products containing that con- 

 stituent. 



MEAT-INSPECTION LABORATORIES. 



Laboratory analyses and examinations of meats and meat food 

 products and of substances used in connection with their preparation 

 were conducted in the meat-inspection laboratories located in the 

 several districts throughout the country. The total number of sam- 

 ples analyzed was 64,195, of which 393 represented meat and meat 

 food products ofl'ered for importation. Samples of 2,474 domestic 

 and 90 foreign products were found not to be in accordance with the 

 regulations. Samples of water supplies, curing materials, spices, 

 condiments, cereals, coloring materials, denaturing oils, etc., were 

 among those examined. Of 2,368 water samples, 362 showed evi- 

 dence of pollution. All suspicious water supplies were kept under 

 constant supervision and intensive study. Particular attention was 

 given to improved bacteriological analyses of water which assist in 

 determining the character of pollution and the application of 

 remedial measures. 



The bacteria naturally occurring in hog carcasses and their rela- 

 tion to meat souring were investigated with promise of beneficial 

 results. 



Methods for the analysis of colors were considerably improved, 

 and a better method of coloring animal tissue, such as meat casings, 

 was developed. 



Practical demonstrations of the use of barium carbonate as rat 

 poison in establishments under inspection were conducted. 



Experiments were conducted with the use of sodium nitrite as a 

 substitute for sodium nitrate in the curing of hams and bacon, 



A method for the detection of milk powder in sausage was de- 

 veloped, thus preparing all laboratories to deal with attempts to use 

 ihis substance without proper declaration. 



The effect of mixing hydrogenated lard with lard was studied, and 

 a method evolved by which lard to which hydrogenated lard has been 

 added can be distinguished from lard adulterated with beef fat. 



FIELD INSPECTION DIVISION. 



The Field Inspection Division, under Dr. A. W, Miller, chief, has 

 continued its activities for the control and eradication of certain 

 diseases of livestock, the enforcement of certain livestock quarantine 



