925. Adulteration and misbranding of Paracelsus.    U. S. v. 26 Boxes of Para
celsus.    Default   decree   of   condemnation.    Product   ordered   destroyed.
(F. D. C. No. 8161.    Sample No. 4205-F.)
On or about August 23, 1942, the United States attorney for the Southern
District of Indiana filed a libel at New Albany, IncL, against 26 boxes of Paracel-
sus at Bedford, Ind., alleging that the article had been shipped in interstate
commerce on or about May 22, 1942, by the American Biochemical Corporation
from Cleveland. Ohio.
The labeling of the article represented it to possess the following ingredients:
Phosphorus, 245 milligrams; calcium, 84 milligrams; iron, 12 milligrams; iodine,
2.40 milligrams; manganese, .09 milligram; magnesium, 8 milligrams; and
sulfur, 68 milligrams.
Analysis of the article showed that it was a mixture of chemical salts, prin-
cipally sodium phosphate, potassium chloride, table salt, magnesium sulfate,
calcium lactate, sodium bicarbonate, and lesser quantities of other chemical
salts. The article was approximately 93 percent deficient in phosphorus, 55
percent deficient in calcium, 90 percent deficient in iron, and contained no iodine.
It contained 211 percent more manganese, 181 percent more magnesium, and
63 percent more sulfur than was declared on the label.
The article was alleged to be adulterated in that its strength differed from that
which it was represented to possess.
It was also misbranded in that the statements with respect to the mineral
content were false and misleading, since the statements were incorrect. It was
further misbranded since statements made in the labeling representing and sug-
gesting that the product was efficacious as a dietary supplement, as a body
builder, as a tonic, and to correct disorders arising from dietary deficiencies,
Tvere false and misleading. The product was also recommended in the labeling
as efficacious in the treatment of arthritis, rheumatism, neuritis, influenza, and
phlebitis, and was represented as a combination of inorganic minerals in their
most assimilable form, which would supply the minerals necessary to normal
nutrition in the most desirable amounts. In fact, the article was not efficacious
for the purposes recommended and was not a combination of inorganic minerals
in their most assimilable form, which would supply the minerals necessary to
normal nutrition in the most desirable amounts.
On October 9, 1942, no claimant having, appeared, judgment of condemnation
was entered and the product was ordered destroyed.