795. Adulteration and misbranding of adhesive strips and first aid kits. U. S. v.
286% Gross Packages of Sanl-f- Cross Adhesive Strips and 4%2 Gross Tip
Top Emergency First Aid Kits. Default decrees of condemnation and de-
struction.    (F. D. C. Nos. 7364, 7617.    Sample Nos. 83892-E, 89872-E.)
The Sani+Cross Adhesive Strips and the absorbent cotton, gauze, and com-
press in the first aid kits were contaminated with living micro-organisms. The
first aid kits were misbranded since the boxes containing the absorbent cotton,
adhesive tape, and compress were much larger than necessary; and no statement
of the quantity of contents appeared on any of the labels.
On April 23 and June 9, 1942, the United States attorneys for the Southern
District of New York and the Eastern District of Louisiana filed libels against
286? gross packages of adhesive strips at New Tork, N. T., and 4?2 gross
first aid kits at New Orleans, La., alleging that the articles had been shipped
in interstate commerce on or about January 27 and April 28, 1942, by Gero
Products, Inc., from South Boston, Mass.; and charging that they were adulter-
ated and misbranded.
The Sani+Cross Adhesive Strips were alleged to be adulterated in that their
purity and quality fell below that which they purported and were represented to
possess, i. e., they purported to be and were represented as being of such purity
and quality that they were suitable for use on cuts and other wounds; whereas
they were not suitable for such use since they were contaminated with living
bacteria. They were alleged to be misbranded in that the following statements
on the label, "Sani+Cross Adhesive Strips for Home, Factory, and Sport Use.
Directions Wash wound with an antiseptic. Remove crinoline and apply
gauze pad to the wound," were false and misleading since they represented and
suggested that the article was a safe and appropriate bandage for first aid use
on broken skin; whereas it was not safe and appropriate for such purposes.
The first aid kits were alleged to be adulterated in that they contained a
package of an article which purported to be a drug recognized in the United
States Pharmacopoeia, namely, absorbent cotton, but its quality or purity fell
below the standard set forth in the pharmacopoeia since it was not sterile.
They were alleged to be misbranded (1) in that the statements, "First Aid
Kit * * * For small cuts use 'Handi-Aid' or Adhesive Bandage * * * Be
Prepared for Emergencies," were false and misleading when applied to kits con-
taining items which were not sterile; (2) in that the labels failed to bear an
accurate statement of the quantity of the contents; and (3) in that the containers
were 
so made and filled as to be misleading.
On June 26 and July 3, 1942, no claimant having appeared, judgments of con-
demnation were entered and the products were ordered destroyed.