No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 79 



amination, it was found that the cause of the illness could not al- 

 ways properly have been ascribed to the candy, but that it must 

 have been produced by other causes, unless it was consumed in ex- 

 cessive amounts. 



ADULTERATED CANDY PROHIBITED. 



The examination made of many kinds of confectionery revealed 

 the existence of a state of affairs that warranted scores of prosecu- 

 tions, because of the indiscriminate use of organic and mineral color- 

 ing matter, grease, copper and other adulterants. The goods in a 

 number of instances were misbranded or misrepresented; for ex- 

 ample, certain so-called chocolate confections did not contain a par- 

 ticle of chocolate, etc. It was not always a question of price, as mis- 

 representations were discovered in both the cheap and high grade 

 candies. As some of the chocolate substitutes were pronounced 

 harmful to health, being of a mineral composition, and, consequently, 

 indigestible, the chemists recommended prosecutions. That the 

 movement was popular with both the courts and public, the news- 

 paper comments and editorials will clearly prove. 



The use of colored glucose in supplying the demands of confec- 

 tioners is assuming. very large proportions, despite the fact that at 

 best it can only be regarded as a cheap, but clever impersonator of 

 sugar. It is but proper to add, that the leading trade organiza- 

 tions representing the immense confectionery interests of the United 

 States, as well as prominent manufacturing firms, are in sympathy 

 with the pure food laws, and will not encourage or countenanc-; 

 fraudulent or unfair practices. Physicians and chemists declare 

 that many children are made ill through dosing their stomachs 

 with cheap substitutes and adulterated candy, and that the sale of 

 such goods should be stopped. Sulphur-dioxide is also under the 

 ban. 



It is probable that the subject will receive merited attention dur 

 ing the coming year. The confectionery business has assumed im- 

 mense proportions, and if the sale of harmful products were per- 

 mitted, a serious wrong would be inflicted upon the public, who not 

 only demand pure candy, but are willing to pay proper prices for 

 such. 



ADULTERATED JELLIES. 



The manufacture of fruit preserves, jams, jellies, etc., appar- 

 ently offered a specially inviting field to some unscrupulous persons 

 with the passing away of the olden-time methods of preserving 

 fruits in the home kitchen, and the consequent advance in the stand- 

 ard of living and general conditions. The manufacturer of such goods 

 soon entered upon a large and profitable trade. Eventually cheap 

 ness and inferiority were the sole ambition of some producers, in 

 order that they might not only meet increased competition, but 

 realize a higher percentage of gain. As a result, the consumer 

 must be taught to know that he is likely to be deceived, and that 

 the goods he buys may contain harmful adulterants, besides being 

 a compound article entirely devoid of the fruit after which it was 

 named. 



During the year-just ended, hundreds of samples of jellies, etc.. 

 were analyzed by the chemists of the Dairy and Food Commissioner, 



