17 



Proust, Gallard, Honnerkopf, Stubenrauch, Kadeinacher, Muller von 

 Pforzheim, and others after careful investigation proved that the small 

 amount ot copper used in canned vegetables is not hurtful. (See page 

 410 of New York State Board of Health for 1887.) 



RECOMMENDING FEDERAL LAWS. 



Frederick Carman, assistant secretary of the board of health, on 

 page 419, report 1887, makes the following recommendations: 



(1) The laws should be amended so as to define the normal constituents of malt 

 beers and malt beverages. 



(2) That a malt beverage should, as its name indicates, contain only malt and 

 hops with their constituents and water. 



(3) That Congress should pass a law making it obligatory upon the Internal Reve- 

 nue Department at all times to permit publicity to be given to the ingredients re- 

 puted to it by the brewers and distillers as having been purchased from which to 

 brew or distill. 



VINEGAR. 



In 1886 the public analyst examined 74 samples of vinegar: 14.8 per 

 cent, contained 5 per cent, or over of absolute acetic acid, and 63, or 

 85.2 per cent., contained less than 5 per cent., and theiefore fell below 

 the legal requirement. 



There are numerous vinegars which may be equally as good as cider 

 vinegar, but, in the language of the New York report, page 371 



While vinegar made from spirits or other wine may bo equally wholesome, it ought 

 not to be sold for cider vinegar, as is very frequently the case. An article so largely used 

 in the preparation of food as vinegar ought to be both free from adulteration and 

 of good strength as well, but the results of the examinations so far made show that 

 here as elsewhere wide differences in quality exist. The addition of mineral acids is 

 very uncommon, but much vinegar is sold which has been plentifully watered, and 

 the greater part of that sold as cider vinegar is a so-called white- wine vinegar, col- 

 ored by caramel, with perhaps some cider vinegar added to give it flavor. 



The New York law requires a standard of 4.5 per cent, of acetic acid 

 in vinegar. 



OTHER FOOD PRODUCTS. 



[See page 429 in report of Dr. Lattimore for 1887.] 



Of 376 articles of diet in daily use in every household 255, or more 

 than two-thirds, were adulterated. Of 205 samples of so-called cream 

 of tartar analyzed, only 53 were unadulterated. Among the adulter- 

 ated samples were found oxalic acid and terra alba (white earth), terra 

 alba and starch. The quantity of this poisonous acid was about 5 per 

 cent. In referring to manipulated spices, Dr. Lattimore says (page 425) : 



The articles used for the purposes of adulterations are- extremely numerous. Most 

 farinaceous substances which have become damaged and unsalable may by skillful 

 roasting and grinding be rendered serviceable by the "spice mixer." Many other 

 articles which might be included under the general rubbish, by suitable manipula- 

 tion may be transformed into mixtures which closely resemble the various spices in 

 color and appearance, lacking only a little seasoning with the smallest possible quan- 

 tity of the real article to give the characteristic o4or and fit them for the market, 



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