142 MAINE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 1909. 



CATCHUP. 



As defined in the ]\Iaine food standards catchup, catsup or 

 ketchup is the clean, sound product made from the properly- 

 prepared pulp of clean, sound, fresh, ripe tomatoes, with spices 

 and with or without sugar and vinegar. Also benzoate of soda 

 may be used provided its presence and amount are plainly 

 stated upon the label. A number of samples of the leading 

 brands of catchup on sale in Maine were collected with the 

 particular purpose of ascertaining whether the requirements 

 relative to the use of benzoate of soda were being complied 

 with. The quality of the catchups in other particulars were 

 left for later investigation. 



The results of the examination are given in the tables on 

 pages 144 and 145. In no instance was a preservative found 

 in the goods unless the fact of its presence was stated. Hear- 

 ings were appointed in all cases in which the percentage of 

 benzoate of soda materially exceeded the amount stated upon 

 the label. The hearings developed the following facts : 



8135. This was sold to The Twitchell Champlin Company 

 under written guaranty by the makers as containing .1 per cent 

 benzoate of soda. The makers claim that in the tomato season 

 they get stock faster than they can use it and add benzoate of 

 soda to keep it. The goods are made later and as they do not 

 have the product analyzed it would seem they know practically 

 nothing of the amount of benzoate of soda it may carry. 

 Twitchell-Champlin were innocent and are protected by a 

 written guaranty. The case has been referred to the U. S. 

 Board of Food and Drug Inspection for prosecution. 



8214. The manufacturers made affidavit that they had not 

 labeled any goods as "Snider's Home Made Catsup" since 1906, 

 and that they had used no preservatives since July, 1908. Affi- 

 davit accepted in settlement of case. 



8227 and 8371. From goods packed in 1907 and from stock 

 purchased from other manufacturers. This practice of buying 

 stock has been discontinued. Affidavit accepted in settlement 

 of case. 



8221. Hearing not yet held. 



8223. Investigation showed that these goods were shipped 

 into the State prior to 1906. While this does not excuse the 



