1831. Misbranding: of Ma-Ta Liquid and Ma-Ta Powder.    U. S. v. 54 Bottles of
Ma-Ta Liquid, 13 Packages of Ma-Ta Powder, and 33 leaflets. Default
decree of condemnation and destruction. (F. D. C. No. 16700. Sample Nos.
929-H, 930-H.)
LIBEL FILED :   July 27, 1945, Southern District of Florida.
ALLEGED SHIPMENT:   By the Mafoliata Corporation, from Chicago, 111., on or
about April 25, 1945.   The leaflets were shipped from Chicago, 111., on a date
unknown.
PRODUCT: 54 1-quart bottles of Ma-Ta Liquid and 6 15-gram packages and
7 125-gram packages of Ma-Ta Powder at West Palm Beach, Fla., and a num-
ber of leaflets entitled "Ma-Ta Mafoliata."
Examination showed that the powder consisted essentially of an extract of
plant material, including the alkaloid berberine; and that the liquid consisted
essentially of the same substance in water, containing a small proportion of
sodium benzoate.
LABEL, IN PABT: "Liquid 'Ma-Ta' (Mafoliata)," "Powder Ma-Ta (Mafoliata)," or
"Ma-Ta Powder."
NATURE OF CHARGE: Misbranding, Section 502 (a), certain statements in the
leaflets accompanying the articles were false and misleading since they repre-
sented and suggested that the articles would be effective in the treatment of
acne, acute septicemia, arthritis, asthma, athlete's foot, abscesses in ear drums,
bronchial troubles, burns, cancer, carbuncles, cartilaginous tumors, common
colds, constipation, cuts, lacerations, and bruises, diabetes, duodenal ulcers,
earache, eczema, epilepsy, fractures, fungi, gallstones, kidney trouble, bladder
trouble, gangrene, gas bacilli, gonorrhea, halitosis, hay fever, hemorrhoids,
piles, and fistulas, high and low blood pressure, impetigo, indigestion, infantile
paralysis, iritis, leg ulcers, osteomyelitis, pyorrhea, ringworm, shingles, sinus,
sore eyes, sprains, sunburn, syphilis, thrombosis, tired feet, tonsillitis, trench
mouth, tuberculosis, ulcers and > boils, vaginal tumors, varicose veins, warts,
psoriasis, stomach ulcers, kidney stones, ulcers of the bladder and kidneys, brain
tumors, sciatica, nervous disorders, jaundice, boils, swellings, bumps, and
growths. The articles would not be effective in the treatment of the conditions,
symptoms, and diseases stated and implied.
Ma-Ta Powder. Further misbranding, Section 502 (a), the following state-
ment on the cartons was false and misleading since the article would not be
efficacious for the conditions mentioned: "For all surface infections, cuts,
lacerations, burns, sunburns, athlete's foot, poison ivy, chigger bites, ulcers,
etc."
DISPOSITION : September 20* 1945. No claimant having appeared, judgment of
forfeiture was entered. A portion of the product was ordered delivered to the
Food and Drug Administration for scientific experimentation, and the remain-
der was ordered destroyed.