8 The Bulletin. 



RULES OF THE STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE UNDER THE FOOD 

 LAW IN REGARD TO LABELING FOOD PRODUCTS. 



A label must be, as far as possible, attached to each package, and 

 contain, in addition to other information, the name of the material, 

 the name and address of the manufacturer, importer or jobber. When 

 the words "artificial," "imitation," "compound," "adulterated," or 

 other words of similar import, are required, they must be on the 

 principal label and immediately precede or follow the word or words 

 they modify, which must be the principal word or words of the label, 

 and be in at least half the size and same style of type and on the 

 same kind of background as the word or words \vith which they are 

 closely associated. The principal words in the label must be printed 

 in either dark-colored letters on a light-colored background or light- 

 colored letters on a dark-colored background. Any statement that is 

 required on the principal label of a barrel or cask of molasses, mo- 

 lasses compound, syrup or compound syrup, vinegar or compound 

 vinegar, must appear on one end or head of the barrel or cask ; and 

 if the principal label or any part of it appears on both ends of barrel 

 or cask, they shall be identical, one to the other. 



The label on bottled soft drinks must bear the name and address 

 of the bottler. 



Where the presence of preservatives, coloring matter or other sub- 

 stance or substances is required to be printed on the label, the print- 

 ing must be done clearly and conspicuously on the label, in type not 

 smaller than brevier heavy gothic caps, and on the same kind of back- 

 ground as the rest of the label. 



Eetail dealers, while offering food or beverage for sale, must keep 

 the label so that it may be seen by purchaser or inspector, and the 

 label must be so kept that it will remain legible. 



ACTION OF THE COMMISSIONER RELATIVE TO THE USE OF 



BENZOATE. 



As the highest authorities differ regarding the effect of benzoate of 

 soda on digestion and health, and as it appears that the constitution- 

 ality of the State law that forbids its use in food depends largely 

 upon its effect on health, and as the attorney for the Department, 

 under the circumstances, advises it, until further notice no prosecu- 

 tion will be made for the use of benzoate of soda in food in quantities 

 not exceeding one-tenth of one per cent (0.1), provided that its pres- 

 ence is plainly stated on the principal label of the package in letters 

 not smaller than eight point (brevier) caps. 



