17783. Misbranding of Alvita tablets. U. S. v. 130 Cartons of Alvita Tab- 
lets. Default decree of condemnation, forfeiture, and destruc- 
tion.     (P. & D. No. 25131.    I. S. No. 7571.    S. No. 3389.)
Samples of a drug product labeled as Alvita tablets having been found to 
bear in the labeling certain claims of curative and therapeutic properties that 
the article did not possess, the Secretary of Agriculture reported to the United 
States attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, the herein-described inter- 
state shipment of a quantity of the article.
On September 15, 1930, the said United States attorney filed in the District 
Court of the United States for the district aforesaid a libel praying seizure and 
condemnation of 130..cartons of Alvita tablets at Chicago, Ill., alleging that the 
article had been shipped by the California Alfalfa Products Co., from Lamanda 
Park, Calif., July 29, 1930, and had been transported from the State of Cali- 
fornia into the State of Illinois, and charging misbranding in violation of the 
food and drugs act as amended.
Analysis of a sample of the article by this department showed that the tablets 
contained an extract of plant material, traces of sassafras and celery oils, and 
starch, coated with calcium carbonate and colored brown.
It was alleged in the libel that the article was misbranded in that the 
following statements regarding the curative and therapeutic effects of the 
said article, borne on the accompanying display card and circular, were false 
and fraudulent in that the said statements were applied to the article know- 
ingly and in reckless and wanton disregard of their truth or falsity, so as 
to represent falsely and fraudulently to purchasers and create in the minds of 
such purchasers the impression and belief that it was effective as a remedy 
for the diseases, ailments, and afflictions mentioned therein: (Display card) 
" For all Kidney, Bladder and Prostatic Trouble. To be used in the treatment 
of Kidney, Liver and Bladder Ailments. Prostate Gland trouble. Rheumatism, 
and a general Tonic for a run down condition; " (circular) "Alvita Rejuvenat- 
ing Tablets for Bladder Irritation, Irregular Bladder Action, and a General 
Tonic. Alvita Tablets is not only for the bladder and kidneys, but is a con- 
centrated food tonic for your whole sj'stem in general. I believe you can 
bank on these tablets to give results. * * * What The Treatment Consists 
Of: The Alvita tablets act not only on the bladder, but assist the function of 
the kidneys,  and your  system  in  general.    Experience has proven  that the
normal working of these organs is very essential in correcting bodily ailments, 
therefore since Alvita Tablets was designed to act on those organs, it should 
be far reaching in its beneficial effects on the entire system. The object all 
the way through is not only to relieve the existing local condition, but as far 
as possible, relieve systemic causes of the trouble. Our experience has proven 
that the average case requires about thirty to sixty days before they show any 
noticeable results, although a number of cases have reported results in a much 
shorter time."
On November 24, 1930, no claimant having appeared for the property, judg- 
ment of condemnation and forfeiture was entered, and it was ordered by the 
court that the product be destroyed by the United States marshal.
AHTHTJE M. HYDE, Secretary of Agriculture.