932 FOODS AND FOOD ADULTERANTS. 



SUBSTITUTES. 



The number of coffee substitutes on the market is large. Many of 

 these are sold under this name and others are simply designated as 

 substitutes. Sample No. 8852 was sold as a coffee substitute. It is 

 composed largely of chicory (50 to 75 per cent), with wheat, and peas 

 or beans. 



There is no objection to the so-called coffee substitutes, provided they 

 are sold as such and do not contain harmful ingredients. All substi- 

 tutes should be sold in packages, bearing labels distinctly stating their 

 composition. 



CONCLUSION. 



The examination of the coffees and coffee preparations on our markets 

 shows that the consumers, and especially the poor, are being grossly 

 deceived. Very little pure ground coffee is sold, and even whole coffee 

 does not escape sophistication. The purchase of green coffee for home 

 roasting does not insure a pure product, since even the green coffee is 

 imitated. Stringent laws are certainly needed to suppress these frauds. 



That there is a large demand for imitation coffee is evidenced by the 

 fact of its importation from Germany. The manufacture of these cof- 

 fees in imitation of the form of the genuine bean should be interdicted, 

 even if the product is to be sold as a substitute. 



