338 
Serial  Number  Abolished. 
Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
July  1914. 
ment  to  the  regulations  under  the  Insecticide  Act  abolishing  the  use 
of  serial  numbers  on  insecticides  and  fungicides.  The  amended 
regulation  also  holds  that  the  use  of  the  legend  "  Guaranteed  by 
(name  of  guarantor)  under  the  Insecticide  Act  of  1910,"  on  the 
labelling  of  insecticides  and  fungicides,  or  similar  legends  is  mis- 
leading and  deceptive  in  that  the  public  is  induced  by  such  legend 
and  serial  number  to  believe  that  the  articles  to  which  they  relate 
have  been  examined  and  approved  by  the  Government. 
The  regulations,  therefore,  provide  that  the  use  of  the  guaranty 
legend  or  any  similar  legend  on  labels  or  packages  of  insecticides  or 
fungicides,  under  which  are  included  all  substances  for  destroying 
or  preventing  insects  or  fungi  affecting  plants  and  animals,  should  be 
discontinued. 
The  new  regulation  is  to  become  effective  on  and  after  May  1, 
1916.  In  the  case  of  products  packed  and  labelled  in  accordance 
with  the  Insecticide  Act  and  in  conformance  with  the  rules  and 
regulations,  prior  to  May  i,  191 6,  the  amendment  wiM  become  ef- 
fective on  and  after  November  1,  1916.  Manufacturers,  however, 
need  not  wait  until  May  1,  191 6,  to  change  their  labels,  but  are  free 
to  make  them  conform  to  the  new  regulations  at  any  time. 
As  in  the  case  of  the  ruling  on  foods  and  drugs,  the  amended 
regulation  as  to  insecticides  and  fungicides  provide  that  where  a 
wholesaler,  manufacturer  or  jobber  wishes  to  guarantee  his  goods 
so  as  to  protect  the  dealer  from  prosecution,  he  may  incorporate 
this  guaranty  in  or  attach  it  to  the  bill  of  sale,  invoice,  bill  of  lading, 
or  other  schedule.  As  the  protection  of  the  dealer  and  not  a  guaranty 
to  the  consumer  was  the  original  purpose  of  the  legend,  the  new 
method  fully  protects  the  dealer  without  misleading  the  consumer. 
In  the  meantime,  the  Department  notifies  the  public  that  the 
presence  of  a  serial  number  or  guaranty  legend  on  foods  and  drugs, 
or  on  insecticides  and  fungicides,  in  no  way  implies  that  the  Govern- 
ment has  tested  or  approved  such  articles,  or  guarantees  them  to  be 
in  compliance  with  the  Federal  law. 
Office  of  Information  .  , 
U.  S.  Dept.  of  Agriculture, 
Washington,  D.  C. 
