30 MAINE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. I908. 



BRANDING VINEGAR. 



Strictly pure apple cider vinegar containing not less than 4 

 per cent acetic acid does not require a label. All other kinds of 

 vinegar must be "plainly labeled, branded or tagged so as to 

 show the exact character thereof." 



In order to be "plainly" branded the letters, if stenciled, 

 should not be less than f of an inch high, and applied with a 

 waterproof ink to a clean painted surface. A printed label 

 could be made up of somewhat smaller letters. 



In case an apple cider vinegar carries any addition or is below 

 strength it must be so labeled. For instance if the vinegar were 

 oonsidered too light in color and caramel (burnt sugar) is added 

 the label must state this fact, e. g., "Apple Cider Vinegar, 

 Colored," would be all right. If it is below 4 per cent acetic 

 acid the label must state this fact, e. g., "Apple Cider Vinegar, 

 3-J per cent acetic acid." The word pure cannot be used even 

 if the vinegar is made from cider and is below the standard (4) 

 per cent or is colored. 



An uncolored distilled vinegar may be labeled grain vinegar, 

 spirit vinegar, distilled vinegar, white vinegar or pickling 

 vinegar. 



A colored distilled vinegar may be labeled as above but the 

 word colored must appear, e. g., Grain vinegar, colored, Colored 

 distilled vinegar, etc. 



If any kind of vinegar carries less than 4 per cent acetic acid, 

 that fact must be stated, e. g., White distilled vinegar 3 per cent 

 acetic acid, or Colored grain vinegar 3 per cent acetic acid, etc. 



A distilled vinegar up to the standard strength and not colored 

 may be labeled pure, thus Pure grain vinegar is in accord with 

 the law. An artificially colored vinegar cannot be labeled pure. 



While not required by the law, it is desirable that the name 

 of the manufacturer or jobber be stated on the package. 



Retailers must so place the barrel from which they are selling 

 that the brand can be readily seen and read. 



If customers will take pains to read the brand upon the 

 package they will know much better what kind of vinegar they 

 are using. 



