268 



FOOD INSPECTION DECISIONS. 



The following Food Inspection Decisions are contained in a 

 recent publication of the Bureau of Chemistry, U. S. Department 

 of Agriculture. They are of sufficient interest to be reprinted :n 

 full : 



THE USE OF SUGAR IN CANNED FOODS. 



Numerous inquiries have been addressed' to the Department 

 respecting the proper labeling of canned fruits and vegetables to 

 which sugar has been added. Sugar is a wdiolesome food product, 

 and is also condimental. It reveals its own presence by its taste. 

 Its addition to a food product can not be objected to on the 

 ground of injury to health. 



It is held by this Department that sugar can be used in the 

 preparation of all food products where it is not used for fraudu- 

 lent purposes. If sugar be added without notice to Indian corn 

 which is not sweet, for the purpose of making it appear a sweet 

 corn, to be sold as such, it is used for a .fraudulent purpose, and 

 for this reason is prohibited by the law. 



In section 7 of the law it is provided that a food is adulterated 

 ''if it be mixed, colored, powdered, coated, or stained in a manner 

 whereby damage or inferiority is concealed." It is evident, there- 

 fore, that a food product can not be mixed with any other sub- 

 stance for the purpose of concealing damage or inferiority. A 

 vegetable which is not naturally sweet could not be sold as one 

 which is naturally sweet by mixing with sugar without violation 

 of the law, unless the addition of sugar is plainlv indicated on the 

 label. 



The addition of sugar to canned vegetables is not for preserva- 

 tive purposes. Added sugar increases the tendency to fermenta- 

 tion. It is added wholly as a condimental ingredient. 



It is held, therefore, that the addition of sugar to a substance 

 not naturally sweet, converting it into a substance which might 

 seem naturally sweet, is justified if the label plainly indicates that 

 this sweetening material is added. In other cases, where no 

 deception is practiced, the mention of the presence of sugar is not 

 required. 



The term ''sugar," as used herein, is confined to sucrose (sac- 

 charose), either in a solid form or in solution. 



