l82 MAINE) AGRICULTURAI, EXPE;rimENT STATION. 1912. 



CARBONATED BEVERAGES. 



During the summer of 1912 the investigation of the car- 

 bonated beverages manufactured and sold in Maine has been 

 continued. This work was commenced in 1910 and since the 

 first inspection of this industry much improvement has been 

 noted in a number of different ways. During the season just 

 passed not all of the bottling houses have been visited, nor have 

 the products of these houses all been analyzed, but only those 

 places located in towns that the deputies happened to visit and 

 those goods found during the course of regular inspection work 

 have been examined. 



The regulations for this class of goods are the same as they 

 have been for several years, and are as follows : — 



"No. 143. Carbonated beverages. The standards for carbonated bev- 

 erages, root beer and similar beverages have not yet been determined 

 upon. For the present these goods may be sold in Maine under the 

 following general regulations : Goods true to name need no label, 

 either bottled or sold at fountains. Benzoate of soda may be used in 

 bottled goods if its presence and amount are declared on the label, and 

 at fountains if conspicuous signs are used declaring its presence and the 

 amount used!" 



"For the present cream soda, sarsaparilla, root beer, birch beer and 

 ginger ale may be sold without statement that they are artificially col- 

 ored and flavored. If benzoate of soda is present it must be declared." 



In Food Inspection Decision 135, issued by the United States 

 Board of Food and Drug Inspection under the Food and Drugs 

 Act, saccharin was prohibited in food products entering inter- 

 state commerce. In accordance with the general policy of the 

 executive of the Maine Food Law, that the regulations in this 

 State conform as nearly as possible to those under the National 



