1904.] Food Imported into the United States. 431 



per cent. One sample was found to contain water in excess 

 of the limit of 16 per cent. Proceedings were taken against the 

 importer, which resulted in a conviction and penalty of £10. 

 In the case of imported milk and cream, 189 samples were 

 analysed. Three samples of sweetened condensed milk from 

 Holland were reported as " machine skimmed " not so labelled, 

 and one was found deficient in fat. Proceedings have been taken 

 in each case. 



The United States Legislature has recently fixed a series of 

 standards* as to the purity, strength, and character of foods and 

 drugs, and means have been provided for 

 Inspection of the investigation of imported articles which 



^^int^th^e are ^ se ^y la-belled or branded, or suspected 



.United States, of being dangerous to the public health. 



Packages containing such articles may be 

 opened and samples taken for inspection and analysis, and if 

 the report is unfavourable delivery to the consignee may be 

 refused. In order to avoid delay in the inspection of imported 

 products, the Department of Agriculture has requested importers 

 to observe that foods, beverages, condiments, and " ingredients 

 of such articles " are now subject to inspection, the object of 

 which is to ascertain whether the products are injurious to 

 health, whether they are falsely branded or labelled as regards 

 contents or place of origin, and whether their entry is forbidden 

 there or sale restricted in the country where they are made or 

 from which they are exported. 



Food will be considered adulterated when (in the absence of 

 contrary judicial interpretation) any valuable ingredient which 

 it naturally contains has been abstracted, or if a less valuable 

 one has been substituted ; or if the food product is coloured, 

 powdered, or polished, with intent to deceive, or to make it 

 appear of a better quality than it really is ; or if it is a substitute 

 for or an imitation of a genuine article and is offered under the 

 name of that article. Products will be similarly considered as 

 injurious to health if they are decomposed, filthy, decayed, or 



* See Journal of Board of Agriculture, Vol. XL, p. 31. 



