Rensselaer Republican, Volume 24, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 November 1891 — IS IT ON THE LIST. [ARTICLE]

IS IT ON THE LIST.

Ammonia and Alum In Baking Powders—Howto Deieot Them. In view of what the Minnesota Senate has done, it is hoped that legislative bodies in other states will soon take up the subject of food adulteration. The subjoined list of baking powders containing ammonia and alum, compiled trom official reports and published in a recent number of the Scientific American, is given below. “It deals in a direct manner with an evil which must be cut down” aaid the Chicago Tribune in commenting on the Scientific American report. Fnllowingis the list of AMMONIA AND ALUM BAKING POWDERS. Compiled from Official Reports. Powders marked with a star seem to have a general sale, as they are mentioned in at least two of the reports. “ATLANTIC A PACIFIC. “ROYAL. COOKS’S FAVORITE. SCIOTO. CROWN. SILVER SPOON. CRYSTAL. SILVER STAB. DAISY. “SNOWDRIFT. “davis’ o. k. sovereign. DRY YEAST. STAR. GEM. T- STATE. GLOBE. STANDARD. “KENTON. SUNFLOWER. PEARBON’S. WASHINGTON. PERFECTION. WINDSOR. PEERLESS. ZIPP’S GRAPE. PURITY. CRYBTAL. There are, in addition to the foregoing list from the Scientific American, a number of such powders sold in the western that were not found in the eastern stores. Following is the list to date: CALUMET - - Contains Alum. (Calumet Baking Powder Co., Chicago.) FOREST CITY - Contains Ammonia Alum. (Vouwießros., Cleveland.) CHICAGO YEAST - Contains Ammonia Alum. (Clapman & Smith Co., Chicago.) BON BON - Contains Alain. HOTEL - - Contains Ammonia Alum. (J. C. Grant Baking Powder Co., Chicago.) ' ■ —— - ~ UNRIVALED - - Contains Alum. (Spragues, Warner & GriswoldrChieago.) ONE SPOON, TAYLOR’S - Ammonia Alum. (Taylor Mfg. Co., St. Louis.) YARNALL’S - Contains Alunn (Yarnall Mfg. Co„St. Louis.) SHAW’S SNOW BUFF - Contain* Alum. (Mercantile Mfg. Association, St. Louis.) DODSON & HIL’S - Contains Alum.; (Dodson & Hil’s, St. Louis.) SHEPARD’S - Contains Ammonia Alum. (Wm. H. Shephard, St. Louis.) BAIN’S - Contains Alum. (Meyer-Bain Mfg. Co., St. Louis.) MONARCH - Contains Ammonia Alum. (Reid, Murdoch & Co., Chicago.) SNOW BALL - Contains Alum. (Bengal Coffee & Spice Mills, Chicago.) 31A NT ... Contains Alum: MILK - Contains Alum.. SIT-, F. McLaughlin <fc Co., Chicago.) O - - - Contains Alum. (Spencer Blueing Paddle Co., Chicago.) KALBFELL’S PURITY Contains Alum. (Kalbfell Mfg. Co., Chicago.) RISING SUN - Contains Ammonia. (Phoenix Chemical Works, Chicago.) WHITE ROSE - Contains Ammonia Alum. (Globe Coffee & Spice Mills, Minneapolis.) WOOD’S ACME - Contains Ammonia. (Thos. Wood & Co., Philadelphia.) ANDREWS’ PEARL - Contains Ammonia. (C. E. Andrews & Co., Milwaukee.) HARRIES’ FAVORITE Contains Alum, (H. H. Harries, Minneapolis.) FIDELITY - - Contains Alum. SOLAR - Contains Alum. (Sherman Bros., Chicago.) PUTNAM’S BEST - Contains Alum. (Wells, Putnam & Co.. Ch cago.) CHINA -T” HOUSE - Contains Alum. (Noah McDowell, St. Paul, Minu.) TWIN CITY - - Contains Alum. (J. K. Ferguson, Minneapolis, Minn.) HERCULES r Contains Ammonia. (Hercules Baking Powder Co., San Francisco.) CLIMAX - Contains Ammonia. [Climax Baking Powder Co., Indianapolis.) Ammonia and alum are the most common adulterants used in the manufacture of baking powders. The Government report shows that a large percentage of the baking powders on the market contain either me or the other, or both these pernicious drugs. What woman would use an ammon i*_or. alum haking . poauian.lfa vshe knew it? Such powders not only undermine the health, but ammonia gives to the complexion a sallow or blotched appearance. The presence of ammonia or alum in abaking powder, however, can be easily detected. To detect ammonia—Mix one heaping teaspoonful of baking powder with one teaspoonful of water in a tin cup; boil thoroughly for a few moments, stir to prevent burning, and if ammonia is present you can smell it in the rising steam. Or, place a can of the susiected powder top down on a hot stove for atainuto or two, then take off the cover and smell. To detect Alum—Alum powder can be tested by putting a couple of teaspoonfuls of the powder in a glass of cold water. If no effervescence, that is bubbling or simmering.takes place condemn the powder and return it at once.

Some alum powders, however, like the “Calumet,” “Bon Bon.” “Chicago Yeast," etc., contain phosphates in combination with alum, and with these brands the following test is simple and sure: Take one half teaspopnful of baking powder iD lid of say half pound can; char thoroughly over a strong alco--1101 flame, a good gas jet, or red hot coals. After charing (that is, burning until the whole mass is black) add a teaspoonful of water and place a bright piece of silver coin in the solution. Stir for one minute, then take out the silver. If the powder prove a cream of tartar pow der the coin will be bright, if an alum powder it will have sulphur stains. Now pour a little vinegar into the lid and smell the fumes. Alum powders give off sulphuretted dydrogen, which may be detected by its foul odor. Dr. Price’s Cream Baking Powder is reported by all authorities as free from Ammonia, Alum. Lime or aiy other adulterant In fact, the puri ty of this ideal powder has never been questioned.