FOOD INSPECTION. I45 



The use of the trade term " white wine vinegar " defined in 

 section 2 of the standards is an adulteration unless the vinegar 

 thus designated is made from grapes. The vinegars commonly 

 ■called white wine vinegars should be labeled white vinegar, 

 distilled ; pickling vinegar, distilled ; spirit vinegar ; grain vine- 

 gar; or some such term that clearly states the nature of the 

 goods. 



Distilled vinegars colored so as to resemble cider vinegar 

 must carry a statement showing that they are colored. In case 

 caramel (burnt sugar) is the coloring matter, the exact nature 

 of the coloring matter need not be stated. Thus " distilled 

 vinegar, colored " would come within the requirements of the 

 5aw. 



In case a dealer furnishes a customer with vinegar other than 

 cider vinegar, or one that carries less than 4 per cent acetic acid, 

 lie must so notify the purchaser. Failure to do so is a violation 

 of the law, and bills therefor are uncollectable (section 8 of 

 law). 



re;sult of the inspection. 



Samples of vinegar were taken from the stock of retail 

 -dealers in several cities and large towns in the State in the 

 months of May and August, 1905. These vinegars were exam- 

 ined for total acidity, volatile acids, total solids and ash. The 

 nature of the solids and ash were not studied, except in a few 

 special instances. For this reason it may be that an occasional 

 sample of vinegar has been passed as a straight cider vinegar 

 when it was adulterated. Ordinary adulterations would be 

 ■detected by the methods employed by us. A skillful adultera- 

 tion might have escaped detection. 



It is gratifying to note that while there were low grade 

 imitation vinegars on the market, no harmful ingredients were 

 found. The fraud in every case was upon the pocket-book 

 rather than upon the health of the consumer. 



It is likewise gratifying that the makers and handlers of vine- 

 gar in the State are in apparent sympathy with the purpose of 

 the law and desire to meet its requirements. 



The results of the analyses are given in the table which 

 follows. 



