17323. Misbranding of Alvita tablets.    XT. S. v. 108 Boxes of Alvita Tablets.
Default decree of condemnation, forfeiture, and destruction.    (F. &
D. No. 24518.    I. S. No. 016513.    S. No. 2815.)
On February 7,1930, the United States attorney for the District of Columbia, 
acting upon a report by the Secretary of Agriculture, filed in the Supreme 
Court of the district aforesaid, holding a District Court, a libel praying seizure 
and condemnation of 108 boxes of Alvita tablets, remaining in the original 
unbroken packages at Washington, D. C, alleging that the article had been 
shipped by the California Alfalfa Products Co., Pasadena, Calif., on or about 
January 10, 1930, and had been transported from the State of California to the 
District of Columbia, and charging misbranding in violation of the food and 
drugs act.
Analysis of a sample of the article by this department showed that the tablets 
consisted essentially of an extract of plant material, starch, traces of sassafras 
and celery oils, and magnesium sulphate coated with calcium carbonate.
It was alleged in the libel that the article was misbranded in that the follow* 
ing statements regarding the curative or therapeutic effects of the said article 
were false and fraudulent, since the article contained no ingredients or com- 
bination of ingredients capable of producing the effects claimed: (Display^ 
carton) "Alfalfa-Vitamines * * * Alvita * * * Are Life * * * 
Tonic Tablets. * * * To be used in the treatment of Kidney, Liver and 
Bladder Ailments, Prostate Gland trouble, Rheumatism and a general Tonic for 
run-down condition."
On May 21, 1930, no claimant having appeared for the property, judgment 
of condemnation and forfeiture was entered, and it was ordered by the court 
that the product be destroyed by the United States marshal.
ARTHTHB M. HTDB, Secretary of Agriculture.