BEVERAGES.

Sixty-two different beverages were examined this year in the laboratory, twenty-seven of which were legal and thirty-five illegal.

The State law requires that all manufactured goods be labeled with the true name of the article. Saccharine and preservatives are adulterations and must be declared on the label. The fact that it will cost more to put a label on these products than to use sugar where saccharin was used, is no reason why the manufacturer should not be compelled to give notice to the consumer by a label when he is selling adulterated goods. Let him use sugar and give the purchaser "something good to drink."

SODA WATER SUPPLIES.

The fruits and sirups used at our soda fountains are in many cases preserved with benzoate of soda and colored with artificial coloring matter. These goods are not served from the original packages and accordingly the consumer has no opportunity to read the label and is given no notice in any other way that the goods are colored and preserved. The retailer is always desirous of knowing whether the sirups and fruits contain a preservative or are artificially colored so that he may know something about their keeping qualities and the permanence of their color. The consumer is entitled to this information. He is interested in knowing that the goods have been kept in a proper condition. He is also interested in knowing whether the goods are of a natural or an artificial color that he may judge something as to their quality. He may have a groundless prejudice against consuming a food containing benzoate of soda, but whatever his prejudices he is entitled to information with regard to any substance added to a food product. The law and rulings of this department require that the retailer be informed of such additions by means of the label. The law also requires that the retailer inform the consumer by label. portion of the law (§ 9 Fourth) which requires all manufactured foods to be labeled, applies to the sale of food in bulk or when they have been removed from the original packages. We therefore recommend that this portion of the law be vigorously enforced. With reference to soda fountains, one label in the form of a placard attached to the fountain in a prominent place would give the consumer the necessary information. The application of the law as indicated by rulings Nos. 11, 18 and 19, applying to the above products, may be more clearly stated in the following words: In case of sirups and fruit products which contain artificial color or benzoate of soda and which are sold from soda water fountains and not exposed for sale in the original, properly labeled package, a placard easily legible to the consumer shall be attached to the fountain in a prominent place bearing the statement, "The sirups and fruits used at this fountain are preserved with 1/10 of 1 per cent of benzoate of soda and are artificially colored, etc.," as the case may be.

NOTE-See bulletins 18 and 19.

That

SACCHARINE.

Saccharine has been used in pop very extensively in the past; sometimes with and sometimes without sugar. It is clearly a substitution of an inferior non-nutritious article for sugar, a wholesome and nutritious one. It has been discovered to be an injurious substance, and its use in pop and other beverages, as well as all other classes of foods, is prohibited by the general provisions of the State Food Law.