2 MAINS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 1908. 



sure for sale without proper labeling is unlawful. An imitation 

 cream of tartar sold in bulk, may be properly labeled in its orig- 

 inal package but it is unlawful to remove it from that package 

 and expose it for sale unless it shall be properly labeled. 



Substitution. 



One of the most difficult things to meet in the enforcement 

 of the law is in connection with goods sold from opened pack- 

 ages. When these goods come from the wholesaler to the 

 retailer they may be properly labeled so as to show their exact 

 nature, but when they are given by the retailer to the consumer, 

 it does not follow that the consumer knows what he receives. 

 For instance a retailer may buy a barrel of distilled vinegar, 

 artificially colored and below the standard strength of acid. 

 The barrel may be branded correctly "Distilled vinegar, colored, 

 3^ per cent acetic acid," but in taking orders from house to 

 house, the grocer's clerk may find a customer who asks for a 

 gallon of vinegar. Under the law the customer has the right 

 to expect that cider vinegar of legal strength will be given him. 

 The order may, however, be filled from this imitation vinegar. 

 One sends to the market for pork sausage ; the order may be 

 filled from a package labeled "Pork Sausage, cereal added." 

 Cream of tartar may be ordered and the grocer may deliver an 

 imitation cream of tartar although he may take it from a cor- 

 rectly labeled opened package. 



The lesson from this is obvious. Unless the customer knows 

 that his grocer is thoroughly reliable and will deliver him exactly 

 what he orders, there is only one thing to do and that is to 

 follow up the purchases to make sure they are taken from prop- 

 erly labeled packages. No possible food inspection can protect 

 the customer that does not use his eyes for his own protection. 

 The great mass of bulk goods at present being sold in Maine 

 are properly labeled. The dealer violates the law who substi- 

 tutes an inferior article even though it be from a properly 

 labeled package. The inspector will do all in his power to look 

 after these cases but it is necessary that the consumer be on the 

 watch for his own protection. 



