18687. Misbranding of Sassafola.    IT. S. v. 6% Dozen Jars of Sassafola.    De- 
fault deeree of condemnation, forfeiture, and destruction.     (F. &
D. No. 26339.    I. S. No. 29898.    S. No. 4651.)
Examination of samples of a drug product, known as Sassafola, showed that 
the jar label bore statements representing that the article possessed curative 
and therapeutic properties which it did not possess. Examination further 
showed that the product was not a preparation of sassafras oil as indicated by 
the name " Sassafola."
On May 7, 1931, the United States attorney for the Eastern District of 
Pennsylvania, acting upon a report by the Secretary of Agriculture, filed in 
the District Court of the United States for the district aforesaid a libel praying 
seizure and condemnation of six and three-fourths dozen jars of the said Sassa- 
fola, remaining in the original unbroken packages at Philadelphia, Pa., consigned 
by the Sassafola Manufacturing Co., Elmira, N. Y., alleging that the article had 
been shipped from Elmira, N. Y., on or about January 2, 1931, and had been 
transported from the State of New York into the State of Pennsylvania, 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 it con- 
sisted essentially of an ointment with a petrolatum base, containing methyl, 
salicylate, menthol, camphor, and eucalyptol.   No sassafras oil was detected.
It was alleged in the libel that the article was misbranded in that the name 
of the article, " Sassafola," was false and misleading, since it, indicated that 
the article was a preparation of sassafras oil, whereas it was not. Misbranding 
was alleged for the further reason that the following statements on the jar 
label regarding the curative or therapeutic effects of the article, were false and 
fraudulent, since it contained no ingredient or combination of ingredients cap- 
able of producing the effects claimed: " For Catarrh, Quinsy * * * Canker, 
Cough, Sore Throat and Lungs, Croup, Pneumonia, Tonsilitis, Headache, Ear- 
ache, Toothache, Rheumatism, Neuralgia, Polypus, Caked Breast, Hay Fever 
* * * Eczema, Salt Rheum * * * Piles, Sores, Etc. * * * For Ca- 
tarrh * * * For Quinsy, Tonsilitis, Sore Throat and Lungs, Croup, Pneu- 
monia Etc."
On May 27, 1931, no claimant having appeared for the property, judgment of 
condemnation and forfeiture was entered, and it was ordered by the court that 
the product be destroyed by the United States marshal.
ABTHUB M. HYDE, Secretary of Agriculture.