970. Adulteration and misbranding of absorbent cotton. IT. S. v. 14% Gross
Packages of Absorbent Cotton. Decree of condemnation. Product ordered
delivered to a local hospital.    (F. D. C. No. S932.    Sample No. 22963-F.)
On November 27, 1942, the United Stales attorney for the Eastern District of
Pennsylvania filed a libel against 14? gross packages of absorbent cotton at
Philadelphia, Pa., alleging that the article had been shipped on or about October
16, 1942, from Columbia, S. C, by New Aseptic Laboratories, Inc.; and charging
that it wos adulterated and misbranded. The article was labeled in part:
"Sunerb Absorbent Cotton Sterlized After Packing."
The article was alleged to be adulterated in that it purported to be and was
represented as a drug, the name of which is recognized in the United States
Pharmacopoeia, but its quality and purity fell below the standard set forth
therein since it did not conform to the requirements of the test for sterility of
solids, as provided by the Pharmacopoeia, but was contaminated with viable gram-
positive bacilli.
It was alleged to be misbranded in that the statement "Sterilized After Pack-
ing," appearing on its label, was false and misleading since the article was con-
taminated as indicated above.
On January 2, 1943, no claimant having appeared, judgment of condemnation
was entered and the product was ordered delivered to a local hospital. The word
"Sterilized" was removed from the label and the product was dispensed as
unsterile cotton.