176 maine agricultural experiment station. i9i4. 



Confectionery. 



Various samples of cordials were examined for alcohol and 

 found to contain practically none. Goods that were sold as 

 "brandy drops" were found to be practically free from alcohol. 



Silver coated candies were found to contain considerable 

 metallic silver, particularly a sample of "Silver Dragees" from 

 the Geo. C. Shaw Co., Portland, Me. These were said to have 

 come from Schall & Co., New York. 



The coloring matters found in candies were the permitted 

 colors, were harmless, and were passed. 



Not at all thorough examination was made of the confec- 

 tionery on sale in Maine. It is gratifying to find that in prac- 

 tically all cases the cheap candies were free from objectionable 

 materials. The coatings on the cheap colored candies all car- 

 ried shellac, but were free from arsenic which is common in 

 some cheap grades of shellac. Commercial glucose entered 

 largely into the manufacture of these cheap candies, but glucose 

 is as healthful a food as sucrose. 



There was found to be frequent shortage in weight in pack- 

 age goods. The net weight law did not become effective until 

 the latter part of September and these incorrect short weights 

 will doubtless be corrected as time goes on. In the case of one 

 large department store it was found that their candies as sold 

 by weight were invariably short weight. Investigation showed 

 that a dial scale was used and that the scale was so placed as 

 regards the saleswoman that when the hand was actually at 15^ 

 it appeared to her to be at 16 ounces. It was not possible to 

 learn whether this was an accidental or an intentional arrange- 

 ment. As soon as the manager's attention was called to this 

 and the resulting short weight, the trouble was corrected. 



The candies in some of the more congested streets in the 

 poorer parts of cities were occasionally found to be dirty. Those 

 exposed to the dust of the street were found by microscopical 

 examination to carry mineral matters and bacteria. No prose- 

 cutions were brought in these cases, but the practices were dis- 

 continued so that the goods were protected from dust, filth, 

 flies, etc. 



