"MEAT EXTRACTS."

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10963, 4 May 1907, Page 1 (Supplement)

"MEAT EXTRACTS."

ACTION OF THE INSTITUTE OF

HYGIENE.

A prosecution under the Merchandise Marks Act, with reference to the sale of the "meat extracts" known as "OxCup" and "Ju Vis," was begun at Marylebone last month at the instance of the Incorporated Institute of Hygiene. The defendants wejre George -Foster Clark, of the Eiffel Tower Factory, Maidstone; Nicjiblas Hall, grocer, of Edgware-road -, Edgar Burrell, his manager, of Ports-down-road, Maida Vale; George Coulthurst,- trading 1 asTArthur's Stores, West-bourne-grove; and Oscar Palm, of the same address.: <; .- T

, Mr Clark Ayas -summoned for selling a packed of "Ox-Cup" to which was applied a false trade description, alleging that it was a preparation of beef coataining the concentrated goodness of the ox, that it was a meat extract, and made excellent beef tea; also for selling one one or other of the two extracts referred to. • ■■•■''.■--'-,- Mr R. D. Muir; m opening the case, said the prosecution alleged that :"Ox_Cup" and "Ju Vis," which were adriiittedly identical m substance, were vegetable extracts with a sufficient modicum of riieat extract added to prevent it being .said without any possibility of dispute that there was uo meat extract m them, whereas they were represented as being j if not wholly, certainly substantial, m.at j extracts. Mr Clark was the 'riianufacturer of these extracts, and was still supplying them to the retail trade. "Eiffel Tower Ox-Cup" was stated m specific terms to be "a meat extract. in [jelly form, containing a delicate vegetable flavor," but m point of fact the : great bulk of it was declared' by expert j analysts to be made from a product of yeast, which, according to German chemists, .was very prolific ma class of adnlterants which were capable of .being added to genuine articles' without its presence being detected, even by skilled chemists. It also contained a considerable quantity of gelatine or glue. Mr Otto Hehner, analyst, stated that "Lemco" consisted solely oi. extract ol meat, but the "Ox; Cup" m question contained yeast, extract m the form of marmite, or a substance of similar composition, to the extent, of about 25 per cent., gelatine or glue to. the extent of 33 per cent., and meat extract to the extent ot, approximately, 11 per cent. A 16oz. pot of marmite was advertised at 3s 4d, while Lemco was quoted 7s 9d.

In cross-examination,- he saiu : yeast was a very useful vegetable m its proper place, and was a stimulant. Marmite made- an excellent substitute for beef-tea for workhouses and Salvation Army shelters! There waa, however, no beef m it. It was* a fact that : the Liebig Company objected to Mr Clark's use of the term "Ox-Cup" on the ground that it was too much like "Oxo," _ut he was not aware that Liebigs paid Mr Clark a sum of money m consideration of "his giving up the. use of the term and adopting fthat of **Ju' Vis." . - i'j .!"-'.-■' The .ase was adjourned. '