3277. Misbranding of Veronica mineral water.   U. S. v. Veronica Sales Co., Ltd.,
and Frank W. Cole.   Plea of nolo contendere.   Each defendant fined $20.
(F. D.C. No. 25620.    Sample Nos. 26698-K, 29439-K.)
INFORMATION FILED : April 19, 1950, Western District of Tennessee, against
Veronica Sales Co., Ltd., a partnership, Santa Barbara, Calif., and Frank W.
Cole, a partner.
ALLEGED SHIPMENT:    On or about February 4 and March 29, 1948, from the
State of Tennessee into the States of Missouri and Texas.
PRODUCT :   Analysis disclosed that the product was a mineral water containing
magnesium sulfate (epsom salt) as the principal ingredient.
LABEL,   IN  PART:    (Bottle)   "Veronica    California   Natural   Springs   Water."
Circulars entitled "Arthritis Routed By Ancient California Mineral Water"
and "Veronica Water" accompanied the shipment of February 4, 1948, and a
circular entitled "Veronica Health Water Is Back" accompanied the shipment
of March 29,1948.
?See also Nos. 3269, 3270, 3276 ; veterinary preparation, No. 3261.
NATURE OF CHARGE: Misbranding, Section 502 (a), certain statements in the
labeling of the shipment of February 4, 1948, represented and suggested that
the product would be efficacious in the cure, mitigation, and treatment of
arthritis, rheumatism, high blood pressure, and acidity, disorders of the
stomach, intestines, kidneys, liver, and gall bladder; gallstones, stomach ulcers,
athlete's foot, burns, cuts, sprains, inflammation, poison oak, and skin dis-
orders ; and that it would be efficacious to promote health; and in addition,
certain statements in the labeling of the shipment of March 29, 1948, repre-
sented and suggested that the article would be efficacious in the cure, mitiga-
tion, and treatment of dyspepsia, dropsy, urinary and bladder troubles,
gallstones, impaired functions of the kidneys and liver, renal calculi, chronic
constipation, fermentative indigestion, jaundice, spastic colon, arthritis,
stomach ulcers, excess acidity, high blood pressure, and stone and gravel in
the bladder; that it would be efficacious to stimulate the liver; that it would
be efficacious as an anthelmintic and as a gastric and intestinal tonic; that
it would be efficacious to restore the bowels to normal and supply much useful
material for the nutrition of important tissues; and that it would be efficacious
to promote health. These representations in the labeling were false and mis-
leading since the product would not be efficacious for the purposes claimed.
DISPOSITION: November 13, 1950. The case having been transferred from the
Western District of Tennessee to the Southern District of California, pleas of
nolo contendere were entered and the court imposed a fine of $20 against each
defendant.