A shipment of food product has been offered for importation labeled Raspberry Vinegar. On notice that it was held for inspection, a representative of the importer appeared and stated that the substance was not a vinegar, but a drink, and intended to be used as a beverage. In this case the material is held to be misbranded, as a vinegar is never intended for a beverage, but only as a condiment.
Notice is given that after May 1, 1906, importations of this description, or similar thereto, will not be admitted if misbranded in the manner mentioned. The name of the article, if descriptive, must indicate its true character. It is suggested that the term Raspberry Beverage is a suitable designation. It will be held, however, that if so labeled it must be a beverage made solely from raspberries or raspberry juice, and not preserved with any substance unmentioned on the label, except sugar, vinegar, or spices. Any substance added to such a product must not be injurious to health nor in violation of the laws of the country whence it comes.
Approved:
James Wilson,
Secretary of Agriculture.
Washington, D. C., January 16, 1906.
(F. I. D. 34.)
PRESERVATIVES IN SAUSAGES.
An importer has made the following request:
About two years ago we had some difficulty with the Department of Agriculture on account of an added preservative or acid being found in German Frankfurter sausages. Our manufacturer has discontinued using any preservative, and we find that the sausages do not keep very well without this added preservative. We would ask you to kindly let us know if there is any objection to our using salicylic acid, boracic acid, benzoic acid, or, in fact, any preservative, if it is plainly stated on the label.
Inasmuch as letters of this nature are occasionally received, it is deemed advisable to make a general statement concerning the attitude of this Department in matters of this kind. It is neither practicable nor advisable for the Department to act in the capacity of scientific adviser to any importer or manufacturer of food products. The Department should be left free in all cases to decide according to the existing law the fitness of any food product to be delivered to the consignee. It can not, therefore, advise in respect of the use of any preservative or any other added substance further than is done in the regular decisions published in this series. The addition of any preservative of any kind to a food product may be objected to for three reasons.
(1) It may be a case of misbranding when the added body is not mentioned on the label.
(2) The added substance itself may be deemed to be injurious to health either as the result of present knowledge or of subsequent investigations.
(3) The added substance may be forbidden by the laws of the country in which the foods are made or from which they are exported.