19903. Adulteration of canned sardines.    U. S. v. 100 Cases of Canned Sar¬
dines.    Default decree of condemnation, forfeiture, and destruc- 
tion.    (F. & D. No. 27774.    I. S. Nos. 22543, 22549.    S. No. 5846.)
This action involved the interstate shipment of a quantity of canned 
sardines samples of which were found to be decomposed.
On February 29, 1932, the United States attorney for the Western District 
of Washington, 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 100 cases of canned sardines, remaining 
in the original unbroken packages at Tacoma, Wash., alleging that the article 
had been shipped in interstate commerce, on or about January 12, 1932, by 
the Van Camp Sea Food Co. (Inc.), from Terminal Island Calif., to Tacoma, 
Wash., and charging adulteration in violation of the food and drugs act. 
The article was labeled in part: (Can) " Superior Quality Blue and White 
Brand California Sardines Red and White Corn. Buffalo, N. Y., Distributors, 
San Francisco, Cal."
It was alleged in the libel that the article was adulterated in that it con- 
sisted in whole or in part of a decomposed animal substance.
On June 13, 1932, 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.
HENBT A. WAIXACE, Secretary of Agriculture.