128336. Adulteration and misbranding of hospital absorbent cotton. U. S. v. 19 
Dozen Packages of Hospital Absorbent Cotton. Default decree of con- 
demnation and destruction.     (F. & D. No. 40522.    Sample No. 56864-C.)
This product was represented to be hospital absorbent cotton of the highest 
purity; whereas it was contaminated with viable micro-organisms.
On October 21, 1937, the United States attorney for the Southern District of 
New York, acting upon a report by the Secretary of Agriculture, filed in the 
district court a libel praying seizure and condemnation of 19 dozen packages 
of absorbent cotton at New York, N. Y., alleging that the article had been 
shipped in interstate commerce on or about August 26, 1937, by the Acme 
Cotton Products Co., Inc., from Dayville, Conn., and charging adulteration and 
misbranding in violation of the Food and Drugs Act.
The article was alleged to be adulterated in that its purity fell below the 
professed standard or quality under which it was sold, namely, (carton) "A 
Highest * * * Cotton for * * * Sanitary or First Aid * * * Hos- 
pital Laboratory Tested Absorbent Cotton," since it was nonsterile absorbent 
cotton.
It was alleged to be misbranded in that the following statements, borne on 
the carton, were false and misleading as applied to nonsterile absorbent cot- 
ton : "Hospital Laboratory Tested Absorbent Cotton * * * A High 
Test * * * Cotton * * * for * * * Sanitary or First Aid. This 
hospital quality absorbent cotton is processed under rigid and exacting labora- 
tory methods to attain purity. * * * Its complete wholesomeness recom- 
mends it for all delicate nursery requirements, for sanitary needs or for first 
aid uses." It was alleged to be misbranded further in that the words "Acme 
Cotton Products," constituting a portion of the firm name, Acme Cotton Prod- 
ucts Co. Inc., borne on the carton, were false and misleading as applied to cotton 
not of the highest purity but which was contaminated with viable micro- 
organisms.
On November 10, 1937, no claimant having appeared, judgment of condem- 
nation was entered and the product was ordered destroyed.
HARRY L. BROWN, Acting Secretary of Agriculture.