19709. Adulteration of celery.    U. S. v. 352 Crates, et al., of Celery.    De¬
crees of condemnation and forfeiture. Product released under 
bond. (F. & D. Nos. 27949, 27975. I. S. Nos. 43173, 43178. S. Nos. 6001, 
6003.)
Arsenic having been found on samples of celery taken from the shipments 
involved in these actions, the Secretary of Agriculture reported the matter to 
the United States attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
On March 22 and March 24, 1932, the United States attorney filed in the Dis- 
trict Court of the United States for the district aforesaid libels praying seizure 
and condemnation of 704 crates of celery, remaining in the original unbroken 
packages at Philadelphia, Pa., alleging that the article had been shipped in 
interstate commerce, in part on or about March 17, 1932, and in part on or 
about March 19, 1932, by Chase & Co., from Sanford, Fla., to Philadelphia, Pa., 
and charging adulteration in violation of the food and drugs act. A portion of 
the article was labeled in part: " Precooled and Each Stalk Washed, Chase & 
Co., Sanford, Florida."
It was alleged in the libels that the article was adulterated in that it con- 
tained an added poisonous or deleterious ingredient, arsenic, which might have 
rendered it injurious to health.
On March 23 and March 24, 1932, Fred Morelli, jr., Philadelphia, Pa., hav- 
ing appeared as claimant for the property, judgments of condemnation and for- 
feiture were entered, and it was ordered by the court that the product be re- 
leased to the said claimant upon payment of costs and the execution of bonds 
totaling $2,400, conditioned in part that it should not be sold or otherwise dis- 
posed of contrary to the laws of the United States or of any State, Territory, 
District, or insular possession, and that it should be reconditioned under the 
supervision of this department. In supervising the reconditiojiing this depart- 
ment required the complete removal of the arsenic by washing or other mKans.
HENRY A.  WALLACE,  Secretary of Agriculture.