Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 34, Number 66, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 April 1902 — IMPURE BAKING POWDER SEIZED. [ARTICLE]

IMPURE BAKING POWDER SEIZED.

The New York Board of Health Find It Contains Alum and Rpck> Declare It Dangerous to Health and Dump It Into the River. The New York papers report that the Health Department of that city has ■eized as dangerous to health nearly two tons of cheap mixtures sold for baking powders and dumped them into the offal scow to be destroyed. More of the powder was found In a Sixth avenue department store. The report of the analysis of the Health Department stated that it was “an alum baking powder” containing alum and pulverized rock. The different Health Authorities seem to have different ways of repressing the sale of bad baking powders. In England they have prosecuted the grocers under the general law and broken up the traffic. In Missouri the sale of alum bakingpowder is actually prohibited by law. In New York they seize the unwholesome stuff and cast It Into the river, without any discussion. The latter way is certainly effective. The alum baking powders are usually offered at a low price, ten to twenty cents a pound, or with some prize, as a temptation to the housewife. Consumers can protect themselves by buying only high-grade baking powder of established name and reputation. Do not be-tempted by the grocer to take something else as “Just as good” or “our own brand,” for the trials show that the grocer himself is often deceived by unscrupulous makers and is eelling an alum powder without knowing it. There are several good powders on the market; let the housekeeper insist on having what she knows Is right,' and not be Induced to risk the life of the family for an Imaginary saving of a few cents. If nettled by severe raillery,conceal the ■ting if you would escape a repetition of the evil.—Colton.