54 



MAINE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. I9IO. 



PICKLES. 



A small amount of alum and benzoate of soda is allowed in 

 pickles in Maine provided the fact of its presence is plainly 

 stated upon the package. In the case of bottled pickles which 

 were examined and are here reported no adulteration or mis- 

 branding was found with the exceptions named below. 



In the past three years bottled pickles have been purchased 

 by the deputy at dififerent places in the State, and while they 

 have for the most part been found in conformity with the 

 requirements of the law, investigation has developed that it 

 frequently happens that pickles, as well as other shelf goods, 

 are quite old before reaching the consumer. It sometimes 

 happens that the jobbing house is not careful to so pile his 

 goods as to distinguish between those which have been in stock 

 for some considerable time and new purchases. Also the re- 

 tailer in filling up his shelves is not always careful to sell off 

 the old goods first. While bottled and canned goods do not 

 deteriorate very rapidly, obviously it is to the advantage both 

 of the consumer and the dealer that goods be handled in as 

 fresh condition as possible. 



The table which follows gives the results of the examination 

 of samples of pickles purchased in Portland in the summer and 

 fall of 1909. In four cases the goods were found to be in 

 violation of the Maine Food and Drug Law. Hearings were 

 appointed and on investigation it was found that these were 

 old goods. On account of this fact the cases were dropped 

 without prosecution. 



Table shozving results of examination of pickles purchased in 

 Portland in the summer and fall of ipop. Samples arranged 

 alphabetically by states and towns within the state where the 

 Goods zvere made. 



8397 



8400 



England, London. Cross & Blaekwell, 

 "Mixed Pickles." 



Illinois, Chicago. Wm. Hemming & 

 Co. "Sweet Glierkins. Extra Fine 

 Pickles. Contain alum, benzoate of 

 soda and tumeric.'' 



10,10.6 



No alum or preservatives found. 

 Passed. 



Alum, benzoate of soda, turmeric 

 found, but declared. Passed. 



