The Bulletin 



35 



found very little bleached flour, and when bleached at all the bleaching 

 was very slight. However, to satisfy the millers of the State the Depart- 

 ment agreed not to prosecute for the sale of very slightly bleached flour 

 until the matter was settled in the Federal courts. Since the conclusion 

 of the Kansas City case the leading mills of JSTorth Carolina have 

 decided that the bleaching of flour by the Alsop process is an adultera- 

 tion, therefore, a violation of the Food Laws, and should not be prac- 

 ticed. These mills have of their own accord discontinued even the slight 

 bleaching permitted by the Department for a time, for which they are 

 to be commended, and deserve the confidence of the people. The Depart- 

 ment is gratified that these leading mills, when convinced that the bleach- 

 ing of flour by the Alsop process is objectionable, have of their own 

 accord discontinued it. Under the above circumstances the State Food 

 ofiicials believe now that the sale of even slightly bleached flour should 

 be discontinued, and after January first, 1913, the Department will 

 object to the sale of flour bleached to any extent. 



Since the last annual report 353 samples of flour have been examined, 

 twelve of which were illegal, and were sold in violation of the law. Of 

 these twelve illegal samples six had been bleached so as to contain an 

 excess of nitrogen peroxide, a poisonous substance; three contained 

 leavening agents the acid ingredient of which was not stated on the 

 package, two were sold in short weight packages, and one did not show 

 name of manufacturer or jobber. 



