36 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE. 



manufacture of gelatin, sauerkraut, maple and sorghum sirups, 

 cider, fruit juices and sirups, citric acid, lemon oil, jams, jellies, 

 marmalade, preserves, corn meal, and stock feeds. 



Much important work has been done in the application of the 

 principles of physical chemistry to the study of a large series of food 

 products. The work upon the chemistry of sugars is recognized uni- 

 versally as of fundamental importance. A study of the composition 

 of vegetable proteins has been begun and already has yielded results 

 which are certain to be of value in the feeding and fattening of farm 

 animals. 



STANDARDS FOR FOODS AND DRUGS. 



Experience in connection with the administration of the Food and 

 Drugs Act has strikingly emphasized the importance of enforceable 

 standards for foods and drugs. Without them it is impossible to 

 carry out completely the purposes of the act. In many instances 

 protection of the consumer — the principal object of the law — can not 

 fully be accomplished, nor can unfair practices on the part of un- 

 scrupulous manufacturers adequately be prevented. In some cases 

 maintenance of prosecution is difficult and expensive, even when the 

 articles involved clearly are adulterated or misbranded. To meet 

 this situation, I have recommended in the estimates for the fiscal year 

 1918 that the Secretary of Agriculture be authorized to establish 

 standards of strength, quality, or purity for articles of food and for 

 those articles of drugs which are sold under or by a name not recog- 

 nized in the United States Pharmacopoeia or National Formulary. 

 The suggestion provides that if any article fails to conform to the 

 established standards it shall be deemed to be misbranded, unless it 

 is labeled so as plainly and conspicuously to show how it differs from 

 the standard. 



The adoption of legally enforceable standards will benefit both 

 the consumer and the honest manufacturer. They will give con- 

 sumers exact information as to the quality of food and drug prod- 

 ucts and will enable manufacturers to produce articles which will 

 meet the requirements of the act, putting competition on a fairer 

 basis. They will be of great assistance to Federal and State officials 

 in the enforcement of food and drug laws and will tend to promote 

 uniformity among the various States. 



