19579. Misbranding of fresh apricots. U. S. v. Alexander G. Johns and 
Henry A. Bonzagno (Central Fruit Distributors). Pleas of guilty. 
Fine, $150.    (F. & D. No. 27482.    I. S. No. 22685.)
This action was based on the interstate shipment of a quantity of fresh 
apricots packed in crates which were found to contain less than 24 pounds 
net, the declared weight.
On January 28, 1932, the United States attorney for the Southern District 
of California, acting upon a report by the Secretary of Agriculture, filed in 
the District Court of the United States for the district aforesaid an informa- 
tion against Alexander G. Johns and Henry A. Bonzagno, co-partners, trading 
as Central Fruit Distributors, Armona, Calif., alleging shipment by said defend- 
ants in violation of the food and drugs act as amended, on or about June 17, 
1931, from the State of California into the State of Colorado, of a quantity of 
fresh apricots that were misbranded. The article was labeled in part: " Purple 
and Gold Brand ' Quality Fruit' Packed by Central Fruit Distributors Fresno, 
California Net Weight When Packed 24 Pounds."
It was alleged in the information that the article was misbranded in that 
the statement " Net Weight When Packed 24 Pounds," borne on the crates, was 
false and misleading, and for the further reason that the article was labeled 
as aforesaid so as to deceive and mislead the purchaser, since the crates did 
not contain 24 pounds net weight of the article but did contain a less amount. 
Misbranding was alleged for the further reason that the article was food 
in package form and the quantity of the contents was not plainly and con- 
spicuously marked on the outside of the packages, since the statement made 
was not correct.
On March 18, 1932, the defendants entered pleas of guilty to the information, 
and the court imposed a fine of $150 upon the said defendants, as a copart- 
nership.
ABTHUB M. HYDE, Secretary of Agriculture.