21273. Adulteration of powdered pectin (Nutrl-Jel, Confecto-Jel).    V. S. v.
1 Barrel (350 pounds) of Powdered Pectin, et al. Default decrees 
of condemnation, forfeiture, and destruction. (F. & D. nos. 29986, 
29987, 29988, 29989, 29991, 29992, 30003, 30022, 30057, 30058, 30367, 30444, 
30455, 30456. Sample nos. 4621-A. 5099-A, 5100-A, 27099-A, 31645-A, 
32335-A, 32822-A, 35083-A, 36090-A, 36158-A, 36486-A, 38198-A, 40501-A, 
40502-A, 40505-A.)
These cases involved various shipments of powdered pectin which contained 
arsenic or lead, or both arsenic and lead, in amounts which might have ren- 
dered it injurious to health.
On March 24, 1933, the United States attorney for the Southern District of 
Ohio, acting upon a report by the Secretary of Agriculture, filed in the district 
court a libel praying seizure and condemnation of one drum, containing 200 
pounds of powdered pectin, at Cincinnati, Ohio. Between March 25 and May 
15, 1933, libels were filed in the Northern District of Ohio, Eastern District 
of Wisconsin, Western District of Pennsylvania, Eastern District of Michigan, 
Northern District of Illinois, District of Colorado, Southern District of New 
York, District of New Jersey, and District of Utah, against 44% barrels or 
drums, containing approximately 7,000 pounds, of powdered pectin at Cleveland, 
Ohio; Milwaukee, Wis.; Pittsburgh, Pa.; Detroit, Mich.; Chicago, Ill.; Denver, 
Colo.; New York, N.Y.; Landersville, N.J.; and Salt Lake City, Utah, which 
had been shipped in interstate commerce by the Speas Manufacturing Co., 
Kansas City, Mo. The libels charged that the article had been shipped into 
the several States from Kansas City, Mo., with the exception of one shipment 
which had been made from Philadelphia, Pa.; that the said shipments covered 
the period from January 27 to April 25, 1933; and that the article was adul- 
terated in violation of the Food and Drugs Act.   The article was labeled,
" Nutrl-Jel"  or  " Confecto-Jel."   Most  of the shipments were  also  labeled, 
" From Speas Mfg. Company, Kansas City, Missouri."
It was alleged in the libel that the article was adulterated in that it con- 
tained added poisonous and deleterious ingredients, namely, arsenic or lead, 
or both arsenic and lead, which ingredients might have rendered the article 
harmful to health.
No claim or answer was filed in any of the cases. Between April 25 and 
September 12, 1933, judgments of condemnation and forfeiture were entered in 
the various districts, and the product was ordered destroyed by the United 
States marshal.
M. L. WILSON, Acting Secretary of Agriculture.