23237. Misbranding of Cal-Spa Mineral "Water. TJ. S. v. (Dr.) Everette H. 
Hobson, Robert U. Bronson, and James G. Leslie (IVnt^n-al Prod- 
nets Co.). Pleas of guilty. Fines, $900. (F. & D. no. 31456. Sample 
nos. 30981-A, 40113-A.)
This case was based on shipments of mineral water, the labels of which con- 
tained unwarranted curative and therapeutic claims. Analyses showed that the 
product contained less potassium iodide than declared on the label.
On June 29, 1934, the United States attorney for the District of Oregon, 
acting upon a report by the Secretary of Agriculture, filed in the district court 
an information against (Dr.) Everette H. Hobson, Robert U. Bronson, and 
James G. Lewis, copartners trading as the Natural Products Co., Eugene, 
Oreg., alleging shipment by said defendants in violation of the Food and Drugs 
Act as amended, on or about March 25, 1933, from the State of Oregon into 
the States of Washington and Ohio, of quantities of Cal-Spa Mineral Water 
which was misbranded. The article was labeled in part: " Cal-Spa Mineral 
Water The Natural Calcium Tonic * * * Certified Analysis Grains Per 
U. S. Gallon * * * Potassium Iodide 106.00 * * * Natural Products 
Company, Eugene, Oregon."
Analyses of a sample from each shipment showed (1) the water contained 
salts of calcium and sodium and 2 grains of potassium iodide per gallon; (2) a 
water solution of the salts of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium with 
chloride and iodide, the total iodine calculated to potassium iodine being 1.4 
grains per gallon.
The information charged misbranding in that certain statements regarding 
the curative and therapeutic effects of the article, borne on the bottle label, 
falsely and fraudulently represented that it was effective as a treatment, rem- 
edy, and cure for kidney ailments, stomach disorders, pulmonary infection, 
skin eruptions, hay fever, catarrh, rheumatism, goiter, nervousness, and very 
run-down conditions; effective as a general tonic in regaining and maintaining 
normal health; effective as a corrector of acidity; effective to eliminate poi- 
sons ; and effective as a tonic. Misbranding was alleged for the further reason 
that the statement, " Certified Analysis Grains per U. S. Gallon * * * Po- 
tassium Iodide 106.00", borne on the bottle label, was false and misleading, 
since each United States gallon of the article contained less than 106 grains of 
potassium iodide.
On October 23, 1934, the defendants entered pleas of guilty and the court 
imposed a fine of $300 against each defendant, a total of $900.
M. L. WILSON, Acting Secretary of Agriculture.