13 



therein can contain without l>eing detrimental to health; but the tendency would 

 seem to he to exclude the fruit when found to contain any zinc whatever. The laws 

 of Hamburg prohibit the sale or offering for sale of apples having more than 0.01 

 per cent of metallic zinc. By metallic zinc is meant the actual amount of the metal 

 left after separating the chemical combination of zinc and the acid of the apples. 



For a number of years dried apples in the form of slices, pieces, or rings have 

 been imported into Germany from the United States, and it has been observed that 

 this fruit often contains zinc in such quantities that, according to medicinal author- 

 ity, the consumption of the same may prove detrimental to health. The German 

 authorities have, in consequence, sitice about five years ago endeavored by every pos- 

 sible means to prevent the importation of American dried fruits containing zinc and 

 to bring about the judicial punishment of the venders of such merchandise. 



In many cities, as, for instance, Hamburg, large quantities of American dried 

 apples containing zinc have been confiscated by the police authorities or forcibly 

 reexported. The courts have, in many cases, unequivocally decreed that the sale of 

 dried apples containing zinc must be regarded as an offense against the German 

 food law, in so far as the consumption of articles of food containing zinc shall be 

 liable to injure human health. 



The opinion of the medical authorities regarding the contents of zinc of the Ameri- 

 can dried apples is that the smallest quantities of zinc may lend articles of food 

 qualities detrimental to health. 



Of late the control of American dried apples in Germany has become more rigid, 

 on account of an appeal of the German chancellor to the federated governments, 

 requesting them to instruct the respective authorities to supervise the traffic in these 

 goods, to have samples examined by food chemists, and, if found necessary, to lodge 

 complaints against the sellers of goods injurious to health. 



The sequel to these investigations is not unlikely to be the issuing of an order 

 forbidding the sale in Germany of apples containing zinc. 



There is no doubt that the American trade in dried apples would sufi'er severely 

 through such a measure, and the only way for the purchasers of such goods to pro- 

 tect themselves against losses would be in the removal of the causes for the exist- 

 ence of ziuc in the apples. 



It is safe to assume that these causes are not attributable to any condition of the 

 soil, but that the zinc gets into the apples during the drying process on zinc plates 

 or frames, the acid of the aj)ple8 chemicall}- absorbing zinc. 



Although by the employing of zinc plates or frames the dried apples retain a fine, 

 light color, it would not seem to be advisable to employ such means for the sake of 

 a comparatively small and purely external advantage. * 



Racks or frames of wood can be used just as well as those made of metal, or the 

 apple slices might even be strung upon strings or cords. These methods are often 

 employed in Germany, and, therefore, the brownish color of the products obtained 

 through them would not put them to any disadvantage so far as their importation 

 into Germany is concerned. 



The above are almost the literal ideas of a gentleman here with whom I have con- 

 versed fully on this subject, and who has given me much valuable information. 



While the object in making this report is to warn our exporters of dried fruit and 

 other food products that it is all-important that, at this particular juncture, the 

 articles sent bj- them to this country should be so prepared in every way as to ofter no 

 grounds for complaint on the part of either German officials or comjieting dealers 

 here, such as might be successfully used to injure or destroy our trade, I do not feel 

 disposed to admit, by any means, without further proof, the full extent of the 

 alleged defects in our food products that are being claimed here. 



Exporters who really send to this country .unhealthy and inferior articles must 

 and ought to expect disadvantages for their goods when competing with purer 

 gues; but I foel coaviuced that our Government, upon the proper representations, 



