17804. Adulteration of canned sardines. IT. S. v. 1,000 Cases, et al., of 
Canned Sardines. Default decrees of condemnation, forfeiture, 
and destruction.     (F.  & D. No. 24395.    I.  S. No. 013327.    S. No. 2560.)
Samples of canned sardines from the herein-described interstate shipment 
having been found to contain decomposed fish, the Secretary of Agriculture 
reported the matter to the United States attorney for the Northern District 
of Mississippi.
On or about December 23, December 30, and December 31, 1929, respectively, 
the United States attorney filed in the United States District Court libels 
praying seizure and condemnation of 1,600 cases of canned sardines, in va- 
rious lots at Aberdeen, Columbus, and Starkville, Miss., respectively, alleging 
that the article had been shipped by the Gurnet Fisheries Co., from New York, 
N. Y., on or about October 5, 1929, and had been transported from the State of 
New York into the State of Mississippi, and charging adulteration in violation 
of the food and drugs act. The article was labeled in part: " Gurnet Brand 
American Sardines * * * Packed By Gurnet Fisheries Co., Plymouth, 
Mass."
It was alleged in the libels that the article was adulterated in that it con- 
sisted wholly or in part of a filthy, decomposed, and putrid animal substance.
On October 6, 1930, no claimant having appeared for the property, judgments 
of condemnation and forfeiture were entered, and it was ordered by the court 
that the product be destroyed by the United States marshal.
AETHUE M. HYDE, Secretary of Agriculture.