Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 May 1902 — CONDEMNED IN MISSOURI AND CONFISCATED IN NEW YORK. [ARTICLE]

CONDEMNED IN MISSOURI AND CONFISCATED IN NEW YORK.

Judge Clarke of St. Lcuis has convicted and fined heavily a number of grocers for selling baking powders containing alum. The week before the Health Department of New York seized a quantity of stuff being sold for baking powder which they found was made* from alum mixed with ground rock, and dumped it into the river. The Health Authorities are thus taking effective means to prevent the introduction into our markets of injurious substitutes in place of wholesome baking powders. As alum costs only two cents a pound, there is a great temptation for those manufacturers who make substitutes and imitation goods, to use it. Alum baking powders can be detected by the health authorities by chemical analysis, but the ordinary housekeeper, whose assistance in protecting the health of the people is important, cannot make a chemical examination. She may easily know the alum powders, however, from the fact that they are sold at from ten to twenty cents for a pouml can, or that some prize—like . a spoon or glass, or piece of crockery, or wooden ware—is given with the powder as an inducement. As the people continue to realize the importance of this subject and consumers insist on having baking powder of established name and character, and as the health authorities continue their vigorous crusades, the alum danger will, it is hoped, finally be driven from our homes.’