IDENTITY OF COAL-TAR COLORS, 1907. 15 



)ENTITY OF COAL-TAR COLORS USED IN FOOD PRODUCTS IN 

 THE UNITED STATES IN 1907. 



COLLECTION OF SAMPLES. 



The question "Which coal-tar colors shall be permitted for use in 

 >loring such food products as are to be consumed within the United 

 ;ates?" can be answered, "All colors now in use, or to be used for 

 lat purpose, provided they are harmless and necessary as defined on 

 age 14." 



This involves the further questions : 



1. Which coal-tar colors of the 695 different chemical individuals 

 ow on the world's markets are actually used in the United States for 

 lat purpose ? 



2. If restricted to such coal-tar colors as are now in use in the 

 nited States for this purpose, would this be likely to hamper or inter- 

 re with the invention of other coal-tar colors suitable for the 

 Coring of food ? 



It would be physically impossible to go to every user of coal-tar 

 dors in food products in the United States and obtain specimens of 

 le coal-tar colors so employed; this would be impracticable not only 

 ecause of the large number of such users, and their wide geographical 

 istribution, but also because they often do not know what they are 

 sing, and further because of a reluctance, undoubtedly to be encoun- 

 >red among many, to disclose the nature of the products employed, 

 bis is rendered more than likely by the attitude of some of the 

 lakers of coal-tar colors, or their accredited agents, as will be shown 



ter. 



However, the sources of coal-tar colors are limited in number. By 

 3ference to pages IX and X of "A systematic survey of the organic 

 Dloring matters," by Arthur G. Green, published in London and New 

 'ork by Macmillan & Co. (Ltd.), in 1904 (hereinafter referred to as 

 Green Tables"), it will be seen that there are approximately 37 

 ifferent concerns the world over engaged in the manufacture of coal- 

 er colors. Therefore a canvass of these sources for such coal-tar 

 olors as in their judgment, or in their business practice, they regard 

 3 proper for use in food products, is the best way of arriving at a fair 

 emarcation of the field of coal-tar colors here in question. 



Communication was therefore had with 13 actual manufacturers of 

 oal-tar colors, in an endeavor to obtain from them such coal-tar 

 olors as in their judgment or business practice are suitable for use, or 

 re used in food products. 



A request was also made for information as to the chemical com- 

 osition of the coal-tar color specimens submitted ; in order to avoid 

 onfusion, it was further asked that reference be made to the Green 

 Cables, in which each chemical individual or coal-tar color has its 



