22326. Misbranding of Billy B. Van's Pine  Tree   Ointment.     IT.  S.  v.  ComŽ
mercial  Laboratories,  Inc.     Plea  of  guilty.     Fine,  $50.      (F.  &  D.
no. 30312.    Sample no. 16550-A.)
This case was based on an interstate shipment of an ointment, the labels of 
which bore unwarranted claims for its effectiveness as an antiseptic and 
germicide.
On November 27, 1933, the United States attorney for the Western District 
of New York, acting upon a report by the Secretary of Agriculture, filed in the 
district court an information against the Commercial Laboratories, Inc., a cor- 
poration, Newark, N. Y., alleging shipment by said company in violation of the 
Food and Drugs Act, on or about August 15, 1932, from the State of New York: 
into the State of New Hampshire, of a quantity of an ointment which was; 
misbranded. The article was labeled in part: (Carton and jar) "Billy B;. 
Van's Pine Tree Ointment Pine Tree Products Co., Newport, New Hampshire " r 
(carton) " It is Antiseptic, germicidal "; (circular) " Pine Needle Oil * * * 
Js recognized as one of the most effective disinfectants, germicides and 
antiseptics."
Analysis of a sample of the article by this Department showed that it con- 
sisted of a pale-green ointment containing chiefly petrolatum and volatile oils, 
apparently pine oil, menthol, and camphor. Bacteriological examination showed 
that it was not antiseptic and was not germicidal when used as directed.
It was alleged in the information that the article was misbranded in that 
the statements in the labeling, (carton) "It is antiseptic, germicidal", and 
(circular) "Pine Tree Needle Oil * * * is recognized as one of the most 
effective * * * germicides and antiseptics", were false and misleading, 
since the article was not a germicide and was not an antiseptic.
On March 14, 1934, a plea of guilty was entered on behalf of the defendant 
company, and the court imposed a fine of $50.
M. L. WILSON, Acting Secretary of Agriculture.