1219. Adulteration and misbranding: of chloroform.    IT. S. v. 2,000 Cartons, 1,000
Cartons, and 1,000 Cartons of Chloroform. Decrees of condemnation.
Product ordered released under bond. (F. D. C. Nos. 11192, 11220, 11448.
Sample Nos. 29638-F, 48151-F, 49475-F, 49476-F, 54730-F, 54731-F.)
On or about December 1, 11, and 30, 1943, the United States attorney for the
Western District of Kentucky filed libels against 4,000 cartons, each containing
12 ampuls, of chloroform at Louisville, Ky., alleging that the article had been
shipped from on or about November 12 to December 11, 1943, by Parke, Davis
and Co., from Detroit, Mich.; and charging that it was adulterated and that a
portion was misbranded.
Examination of samples revealed that 20 cc. of the article required from 0.38
to 40.0 cc. of hundredth-normal sodium hydroxide for neutralization, whereas the
United States Pharmacopoeia, in establishing the limit for the content of acids
and phosgene in chloroform, provides that not more than 0.20 cc. of hundredth-
normal sodium hydroxide is required to neutralize 20 cc. of chloroform.
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 Phar-
macopoeia, an official compendium, but its quality and purity fell below the stand
ard set forth therein since the article failed to meet the requirement for acids
and phosgene specified for chloroform by the Pharmacopoeia.
A portion of the article was alleged to be misbranded in that the statements in
the labeling, "the purest chloroform obtainable, free from decomposition prod-
ucts," and "Dropper-Ampoules of Chloroform insure for every operation an
ample supply of anesthetic of full strength and purity," were false and misleading
as applied to an article which failed to meet the requirements of the Pharma-
copoeia for quality and purity.
On June 13, 1944, Parke, Davis and Co. having appeared as claimant, judg-
ments of condemnation were entered and the product was ordered released under
bond, conditioned that it should not be sold as an anesthetic and that it be dis-
posed of in compliance with the law, under the supervision of the Food and
Drug Administration.