86 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



substitutes are made, together with its too often unwholesoDDue in- 

 gredients, demand special action. — 



PUBLIC FAVOR PURE FOOD LAWS. 



While the progress in enforcing food laws may at certain periods 

 appear unsatisfactory and disappointing, the fact is indisputable that 

 the present is the most interesting as well as most important in 

 the history of food legislation, notwithstanding prevailing impres- 

 sions in some quarters to the effect that the pure food question 

 has been practically settled. The active operation of laws in nu- 

 merous states, the organization of departments for the enforcement 

 of measures recently passed, and the enactment of a National food 

 and drug act, all combined, strongly indicate the trend of public sen- 

 timent. The pioneer work performed in Pennsylvania has not been 

 done in vain. Other states are following, and although 

 new and knotty problems arise and confront us almost daily, the 

 pathway has been cleared for renewed activity. 



SELLING FILTHY AND UNWHOLESOME FOOD. 



The Dairy and Food Commissioner is of the opinion that in- 

 creased attention should be given to the question of more strict sani- 

 tation of groceries, bake shops, meat markets, truck stands, confec- 

 tionery stores and all other places where food products are manufac- 

 tured or sold. The state of affairs observed at many such places 

 visited is deplorable and bodes no good for the public health. While 

 primarily engaged in enforcing the pure food laws, these evils are 

 self-evident and should not be overlooked much longer. One source 

 of contamination are the unclean refrigerators. Exposing all kinds 

 of articles of food to the air, sun, dust and the attack of insects is 

 another evil of serious effect and importance. A visit to many of 

 the shops and stores located in the tenement and manufacturing 

 districts of Philadelphia, Pittsburg and other cities will forcibly and 

 amply prove the truth of these unpleasant but truthful statements. 



IMPROVED STANDARD FOR CONFECTIONERY. 



The long existing and well founded prejudice against the use of 

 harmful ingredients in the manufacture of candy bore fruit, with 

 the result that hundreds of dealers in impure confectionery were 

 arrested and fined. These candies were found to contain sulphites, 

 coal-tar pigments, minerals, talc and other positively harmful sub- 

 stances. The wholesale number of suits brought had an excellent 

 effect, and the candy trade has been revolutionized. Reputable 

 manufacturers know full well than an increased consumption of a 

 product depends more upon the quality and wholesomeness and pur- 

 ity of that product than anything else, consequently they heartily 

 favored the enforcement of the law. The Dairy and Food Division 

 was especially gratified with the aid and counsel received through 

 a certain portion of the trade. The time was ripe for action and 

 much genuine good was accomplished. 



One candy firm at great expense is having all its colors tested for 

 arsenic and if even the minutest trace is present, they will not use 

 it. Others are equally scrupulous regarding the use of glucose con- 

 taining sulphites, and consequently we have pure and better goods. 



