84 ANNUAL. REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



IMPROVEMENT IN QUAL.ITY OF FRESH MEAT. 



The numerous tests and analyses made of samples of Hamburg 

 steak, fresh sausage and fresh meat clearly indicated tlie usefulness 

 and beneficial results attained through last year's investigation into 

 the use of sulphites and boric compounds as meat preservatives. 

 Besides using sulphurous acid in meat products, as a preservative, 

 it also served as a deodorizer, thereby concealing incipient putre- 

 faction. Although certain practices were sanctioned by the trade 

 and to a limited extant hj National and State rulings, the Dairy and 

 Food Division of Pennsylvania could not consistently disregard the 

 law, nor evade the duty which was enjoined by official oath. After 

 numerous prosecutions were brought to a successful termination, a 

 better feeling existed among the trade and consumers were protect- 

 ed and no longer deceived by the imposition of meat which had al- 

 ready become discolored, swarming with bacteria, and, by chemical 

 treatment, restored to its former fresh appearance and sweet odor, 

 The analytical reports show the absence of these deleterious chem- 

 icals, and as a result, there are but few prosecutions, as the law is 

 not only strictly interpreted but vigilantly enforced. Where con- 

 sumers are doubtful as to the quality of the bright, red Hamburg 

 steak displayed by the butcher, it may be advisable to either chop 

 the meat themselves or else have it done by the butcher in your 

 presence. 



SALE OF ADULTERATED COD FISH. 



During the year ending, a large number of prosecutions were di- 

 rected to be brought against retail merchants charged with the 

 sale of adulterated shredded cod-fish. The samples represented the 

 output of various firms. Upon analysis, they were found to contain 

 a large percentage of boric acid, thus placing the article under the 

 ban of the pure food law. While a large majority of the dealers 

 believed that they had a legal right to sell such goods, the fines and 

 costs in most instances were paid without recourse to court trials, 

 as it was fully established by expert testimony that the abnormally 

 high percentage of the preservative used rendered the fish positive- 

 ly harmful to health. 



The National government has been urged to formulate rules rela- 

 tive to the curing of fish, and prescribing a method whereby a chem- 

 ical preservative may be used during the warm season. The Com- 

 monwealth of Pennsylvania has a special Act of Assembly to gov- 

 ern the sale of fresh meat, fish, game, etc., which expressly forbids 

 the use of chemical preservatives and coal-tar dyes. 



DEMAND FOR PURE MAPLE SYRUP AND SUGAR. 



An examination of samples of maple syrup revealed the fact that 

 the uncertain mixtures of maple and cane syrups are now being 

 sold for what they are and properly labeled. As a rule, these com- 

 pound syrups contained less than 50 per cent, of pure maple syrup, 

 while some brands contained a very small amount, indeed. 



The maple sugar sold in Pennsylvania was found to be compara- 

 tively pure and free from the ordinary sugar which was so freely 

 employed as an adulterant a few years ago. There has been a coni- 

 plete revision in marking and labelling maple syrup and maple su- 



