7911. Adulteration and misbrandingr of Walban Vitamin B Complex and mis- branding of Walban A, Bx, D, G (B2) Vitamin Pearls. U. S. v. 35 Display Units of Walban Vitamin B Complex and 23 Display Units of Walban A, Bi, D, G, (B.,) Vitamin Pearls. Default decrees of condemnation. Products ordered delivered to charitable institutions. (F. D. C. Nos. 13777, 13778. Sample Nos. 80616-F, 80617-F.) LIBELS FILED: September 11, 1944, Eastern District of Missouri. ALLEGED SHIPMENT: On or about May 31, 1944, by the Walban Corporation, from Little Neck, Long Island, N. Y. PRODUCT: 35 display units, each containing 12 packages of 30 pearls each, of Walban Vitamin B Complex, and 23 display units, each containing 12 packages of 30 pearls each, of Walban A, Bi, D, G (B2) Vitamin Pearls, at St. Louis, Mo. Examination of a sample of the Vitamin B Complex showed that the article contained approximately one-half of the declared amount of vitamin Bi. LABEL * IN PART: "Walban Vitamin B Complex 333 U. S. P. Units Vitamin Bi," or "Walban A, Blf D, G (B2) Vitamin Pearls." VIOLATIONS CHARGED: Vitamin B Complex, adulteration, Section 402 (b) (1), a valuable constituent, vitamin Bi, had been in whole or in part omitted or abstracted from the article. Misbranding, Section 403 (a), the label statements, "Each contains not less than: 333 U. S. P. Units Vitamin Bi," and "Each Pearl contains full adult minimum requirement of Vitamin Bi (thiamin Chloride)," were false, since the article would only supply approximately 167 U. S. P. units of vitamin Bi and one-half the adult minimum requirement; and, Section 403 (a), [and Section 502 (a)], the labeling statements quoted below were false and misleading since consumers of the article could not reasonably expect freedom from the diseases and abnormalities mentioned, a deficiency of riboflavin does not cause pellagra, pyridoxine is not known to be essential in human nutrition, the article would not supply significant amounts of vitamins derived from liver and yeast, fish liver oils are not the principal sources of vitamins A and D, and the benefits of obtaining adequate vitamin intake would not result from consumption of the article: (Display flyer) "you need WALBAN VITAMIN B COMPLEX PEARLS for VIM. VIGOR, VITALITY * * *"; (leaflet entitled "Walban B Com- plex Pearls") "* * * deficiencies often result in failure to maintain good health, bacterial infections, poor appetite, faulty metabolism, etc. * * * It stimulates the metabolic processes and prevents such manifesta- tions as nervous dyspepsia. * * * a loss of appetite, loss of weight and vigor, impairment of the digestive processes, subnormal temperature, fatigue, etc. * * * This vitamin prevents pellagra and promotes healthy skin, tissues. * * * alimentary disturbances, thickening of the skin, soreness and inflammation of the tongue and mouth. * * * plays an important part in keeping the skin in good condition. * * * some evidence that it is necessary to prevent rigidity and weakness of the muscles. No minimum requirements have as yet been established, but this vitamin is known to play an important part in human nutrition. * * * but as with pyridoxine the minimum daily requirement has not as yet been established. * * * Other components of this B Complex group of vitamins natural to liver and yeast are also in the Walban B Complex Pearls so that this product furnishes a quick and simple way to procure the vitamins in this B group as a supplement to the normal daily die,t. * * * These two vitamins are mainly found in fish oils. * * * protects against infections of the respiratory tract and deficiencies result in colds, bronchitis, and diseases of the sinus and ears in addition to other manifestations. * * * the growth vitamin * * * general muscular weakness and defects of the teeth such as softness of structure and susceptibility to decay and caries. * * * NOW THE ENTIRE FAMILY CAN GET THE BENEFIT OF VITAMINS AT A LOW COST * * *." Walban A, Bi, D, G (B2) Vitamin Pearls, misbranding, Section 403 (a), the labeling statements quoted below were false and misleading since the vitamins supplied by the article are not usually deficient in the normal diet, it is not difficult to obtain adequate amounts of vitamins from common foods, the only important sources of vitamins are not such substances as cod or other fish liver oils, wheat germ, and yeast, and use of the article would not prevent or correct the diseases, symptoms, and conditions mentioned, and would not insure health and the results of adequate vitamin intake: (Folder enclosed in retail package entitled "Walban A. B. D. G. Vitamin Pearls") "* * * VITAMIN A * * * as much vitamin A as is found in 3 quarts of milk [Picture of three bottles of milk] VITAMIN BI * * * Each Walban Pearl contains as much of this valuable vitamin as is found in V-/2 lbs. of lean beef [Picture of beef] VITAMIN r> * * * Each Walban Pearl contains as much,of this vitamin as is * * * in 5 dozen eggs [Picture of eggs] VITAMIN G (b2) * * * as much of this valuable vitamin as is found in two 10 oz. loaves of whole wheat bread [Picture of two loaves of bread] * * * Full Vitamin Insur- ance * * * a necessary supplement to the diet. * * * a high potency vitamin capsule * * *"; (poster)"* * * Each Walban A. B. D. G. Vitamin Pearl contains as much Vitamin A as is generally found in 3 quarts of milk [Picture of three bottles of milk] Plus as much Vitamin B as is generally found in Vi lbs. of lean beef [Picture of beef] Plus as much Vitamin D as is generally found in 5 dozen eggs [Picture of eggs] Plus as much Vitamin G (B2) as is generally found in 20 ozs. Whole Wheat Bread. [Picture of two loaves of bread]"; (circular entitled "Vitamins One of Science's greatest discoveries") "* * * to build up resistance against diseases, to maintain health and normal growth. Lack of these essential vitamins brings fatigue, premature old age, skin diseases, intestinal ailments, nervous indigestion and lowered resistance. * * * Who needs vitamins? The great majority of Americans are not getting a sufficient supply of these essential food elements. The small quantities of vitamins that exist in many foods are too frequently destroyed by modern cooking processes. This national deficiency in vitamins has been recognized by all public and medical authorities and thatis why so many articles on the im- portance of vitamins are constantly appearing in newspapers and magazines. * * * What are the important vitamins? Among the vitamins you need and which few are getting in sufficient quantities are the vitamins A, Bi, D, and G. * * * Vitamin A? The most important source of this vitamin is cod liver oil and other fish oils. This vitamin promotes growth, appetite, and digestion. It protects against infections of the respiratory tract and builds a natural resistance to colds, bronchitis, and diseases of the sinus, ears, alimentary tract, kidney and bladder. * * * What is Vitamin BJ The most im- portant source of this vitamin is wheat germ and yeast. It promotes the appetite and digestion. It protects the body from nervous diseases. * * * Vitamin G? * * . * This is the growth vitamin and is essential for the proper growth and development of the body. * * * How can you get these four essential vitamins? * * * surest way to insure a daily' intake of these four vitamins is by taking one Walban Pearl each day. * * * One Walban Pearl each day . gives you a WELL-BALANCED VITAMIN INTAKE. * * * Should everyone in the family take Walban Pearls? Yes. The chances are that everyone in the family from children to adults are not getting nearly enough of these four vitamins in the daily diet. Investigations among thousands of families prove this. Each member of the family can be insured against these vitamin deficiencies and the sufferings these deficiencies bring about by taking one Walban Pearl a day. This is the cheapest form of health insurance. * * * The Cheapest Form of Health Insurance. Now the Entire Family Can Get the Benefit of Vitamins at a Low Cost * * *." Further misbranding, Vitamin B Complex and Vitamin Pearls, Section 403 ' (f), the information required by Section 403 (j) was not prominently placed on the label with such conspicuousness (as compared with other words,'statements, designs, or devices on the label) as to render it likely to be read by the ordinary individual under customary conditions of purchase, since it appeared on the bottom of the package. The articles were also alleged to be misbranded under the provisions of the law applicable to drugs, as reported in the notices of judgment on drugs and devices. DISPOSITION: December 2 and 15, 1944. No claimant having appeared, judg- ments of condemnation were entered and the products were ordered delivered to charitable institutions, after destruction of the leaflets, circulars, and display posters.