---------------------------+----------------------------------- | COMPOSITION OF DRY MATERIAL. +--------+--------+--------+-------- | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Protein| | | | (N × | | | Sodium DESCRIPTION. | 6.25). | Fat. | Ash. |chlorid. ---------------------------+--------+--------+--------+-------- |_P. ct._|_P. ct._|_P. ct._|_P. ct._ Sliced Star ham, | 23.00 | 68.01 | 6.87 | 5.85 Boneless ham, | 50.19 | 36.06 | 11.63 | 9.29 Gold Band sliced ham, | 34.06 | 57.58 | 9.72 | 7.93 Boneless cooked ham, | 32.38 | 59.17 | 7.40 | 6.26 Prosciutto Scelto in Fette,| 30.12 | 56.60 | 13.24 | 11.88 Lunch ham, | 38.81 | 53.26 | 6.48 | 5.19 Huckins sandwich ham, | 20.13 | 77.77 | 2.76 | .. Ham, “Coin Special,” | 37.37 | 53.77 | 7.23 | 4.86 Sliced Star bacon, | 49.31 | 32.82 | 17.74 | 15.69 Beechnut bacon, | 44.06 | 36.35 | 24.44 | 21.91 Sliced breakfast bacon, | 8.44 | 87.13 | 3.86 | 2.99 Gold Band sliced bacon, | 10.87 | 85.60 | 3.20 | 2.83 Fresh pork, rib and loin, | 27.87 | 70.25 | 1.62 | Tr. ---------------------------+--------+--------+--------+-------- =Adulteration of Canned Ham and Bacon.=--From the above data it is seen that the products are probably true to name, and are actually ham and bacon. The principal adulterations which are found in these articles are preservatives and coloring matters. The coloring matter usually found is saltpeter which, in one instance, was present in quantities of one-tenth of one percent and the average quantity found was one-twentieth of one percent. Saltpeter is not used as a preservative, although it is often claimed by packers that such is the case. In the minute quantities in which it is employed it has little or no effect as a preservative if, indeed, it could be deemed a germicidal substance. The principal preservative which is found is boric acid. In fourteen cases examined, however, only two contained this preservative, which shows that there is no necessity for its use on any occasion. Under the new meat inspection law all meat products prepared for interstate and foreign commerce are packed under direct supervision of the Department of Agriculture, and contain no harmful color and no chemical preservative.