Honolulu Republican, Volume IV, Number 498, 16 January 1902 — WAR AGAINST IMPURE FOODS STILL WAGED [ARTICLE]

WAR AGAINST IMPURE FOODS STILL WAGED

BEER AND ITS ADULTERATIONS. Food Commissioner Shorey Reports on Examination of Coffee—No Adulteration Found in Brandy. Cocoa or Currant Jelly. The usual number of milk tests were made by Food Commissioner Dr. K. C. Shorey. according to the report for December, which was filed with the Board of Health yesterday. The product of 47 different dairies was subjected to a microscopeical examination to ascertain the percentage ot adulterations ns well as butter fats. One private complaint was recorded. while the samples of milk taken from the dairies of J. Mattos and M Abreu were found to be below the standard. Dr, Shorey states: Opium Below Standard. ‘ Four samples of tincture of opium were examined and all found to be below standard; two of them, however, very little. In January last three samples of this drug were examined, and 1 give below the results obtained in both cases The U. S. Pharmacopoeia requires that tincture of opium shall contain not less than 1.2 nor more than 1.5 grains of morphine per 100 c c. The amounts of morphine contained in 100 of the samples were as follows; January, 15*01. Hobron Drug Co.. 0.93 gram: December. 15*01. 1.21 grams; Benson. Smith \ Co.. Jan.. 1901. 1.15 gram: December. 15*01. 1.20 grams; Hollister Drug Co.. January. 1901, 0.9 S grains; December. 15*01. 0.93 grams; Honolulu Drug Co. no sample. December. 1901. 0.91 grams. Beer Samples Examined. Six samples of beer, including the brands sold in most of the saloons. examined and nothing which can be considered an adulteration was found. The amount of alcohol contained varies from 3.5 per cent to 4.8 per cent, and the amount of extract from to 4 per cent to 6 per cent. Five of the six samples contained some preservative, either benxolc acid or a fluoride, but as these substances are not injurious they cannot bo considered an adulteration as the law here now reads. Two samples of coffee found on sale on examination were found to contain chicory and roasted cereal. These samples were obtained from Jose Monis. Punchhowi street. Good Brandy. Cocoa and Jelly. One sample of brandy, cocoa and currant jelly were examined and no adulteration found. Below is a brief summary of the work for the year ending December 31. 1901. Milk samples taken on the street. 1.053; milk samples taken at dairies. 27; milk taken from private parties. 20; total number of m.lk samples examined. 1.130: (bod sam pies examined. ITS; drug samples examined: miscellaneous samples. 40; prosecutions for sale of adulterated milk. II; convictions for sale of ad-

ulterated milk. 2; prosecutions for sale of adulterated food, 3: convictions for sale of adulterated food. 3.