251. Adulteration and alleged misbranding- of catgut sutures.    U. S. v. 7 Boxes
of Catgut Sutures.    Product adjudged adulterated and ordered destroyed.
(F. D. C. No. 1635.   Sample No. 67158-D.)
This product had been shipped in interstate commerce and was in interstate
commerce at the time of examination, at which time it was found to contain
viable micro-organisms.
On or about March 15, 1940, the United States attorney for the Western
District of Missouri filed a libel against seven boxes of catgut sutures at
Kansas City, Mo., alleging that the article had been shipped on or about February
9, 1940, by the Laboratory of the Ramsey County Medical Society from St.
Paul, Minn.; and charging that it was adulterated and misbranded. The
article was labeled in part: "Formalized Pyoktanin Catgut"
It was alleged to be adulterated in that its purity fell below that which it
purported or was represented to possess, since the statement in the labeling,
"Formalized Pyoktanin Catgut," and the directions for use, "Tear the envelope
and drop the contents into a sterile solution; soak the strand before applica-
tion to make it pliable and prevent breaking of the knot," implied sterility of
the article.
It was alleged to be misbranded in that the representations in the labeling
above referred to were false and misleading since they created the impression
that- the article was sterile catgut suitable for surgical use; whereas it was
not sterile catgut and was not suitable for surgical use.
On June 25, 1940, no claimant having appeared, the product was adjudged
adulterated and ordered destroyed.